The 2016 field hockey team saw its season end Nov. 9 when they lost to St. Francis 2-0 in a hard-fought CCS semifinal match.

The Falcons (12-5-2) were not able to come back from being down 1-0 in the first half, and the Lancers were able to score once more before before time expired, even with a solid defensive effort from SHS.

“I felt the team performed really well as a unit, put everything they had on the field and played like champions,” coach Nanu Sidhu said. “As for the whole season, I couldn't be more proud of how well they played.”

The team placed second in the De Anza league behind Los Gatos, and qualified for CCS, defeating Willow Glen 1-0 in the first round on Nov. 2, when senior midfielder Hannah Leonard scored the lone goal. In the quarterfinal match between Saratoga and Gilroy on Nov. 5, the Falcons came from behind to beat Gilroy 2-1, with goals from senior forwards Kelsey Kinoshita and Tina Miller.

Throughout this season, the team managed with only 12 players but brought up freshman Hannah Beine, Maddy Davis, Ella Parr, Kathryn Hamilton, Sarah Rieken and Natalie Tarbox, sophomore Autumn Zuleeg and juniors Tiffany Vu and Catherine Zhang from JV to have a deeper roster for CCS. With the small team also came a sense of camaraderie.

“I personally am so proud of everyone on the team and what we have accomplished,” Miller said. “I wouldn't have wanted my senior year of field hockey to be spent with any other girls.”

The seven seniors on the team have been around for the team’s past three CCS runs; two years ago, the team lost to Gilroy in the quarterfinals, and last year the team advanced to semifinals but lost to Los Gatos.

“Next season will be tough considering seven starters were seniors this year,” Sidhu said, “but I'm confident the next group will rise to challenge.”