Head Coach: Sarah Brauer
Last year’s record: 3-10
Key Match-ups: Los Gatos
Star Players: Seniors Sophia Farone and Mindi Hendley
Key losses to graduation: Rylie Adler and Leena Elashmawi
League: SCVAL League
Prognosis:
In February, returning players doubted if they could even have a season, with only nine returners. However, they managed to gain enough new players to complete their roster of 14 and practiced vigorously for their first game, which was against Los Gatos on March 16 and resulted in a lopsided 15-0 loss.
“We have a very beginner-heavy team, so our first two weeks of practice was mainly focused on getting in shape and trying to get down basic skills,” senior Mindi Hendley said. “After we started game play, we started working more on game play and strategy.”
According to Hendley, a typical practice consists of shuttles (two lines of players who pass or roll ground balls to each other while moving), a strategy drill and scrimmaging. She noted that head coach Sarah Brauer has been putting an emphasis on teaching versatility as players will likely have to shuffle between the three zones of the field — Attack, Midfield, and Defense. With only four weeks of preseason and so many skills to cover, Brauer was originally worried new players would not be able to learn such a skilled game so fast, but she was pleasantly surprised.
“I’m proud of how people have stepped out of their comfort zone, including our new goalie Leah who has really stepped up to the challenge and senior co-captain Andrea Cordova who has been playing midfield for the first time this season,” Brauer said.
After losses against Mountain View and Palo Alto, senior midfield Sophia Farone returned to the field after an ankle injury on March 30 for the away game against Los Altos. Following her return, the team managed to capture a tight 10-9 victory over Los Altos.
“It took a while but I think we finally found our groove,” Farone said, “We have the enthusiasm and drive and I think with a little more work on basic skills we can really succeed for the remainder of the season.”
