After a 1-0 victory over Milpitas on Feb. 6 marked the end of a tumultuous regular season for the girls’ varsity soccer team, the girls began to play a different, albeit less fun, game. They began to play the waiting game, anxiously anticipating the decision of the CCS Board as to whether or not they could qualify for the championships as a wildcard.
The game against Milpitas bumped the girls up to second place in the De Anza League, one spot shy of the position necessary to move on to CCS. Head coach and history teacher Kim Anzalone, however, felt that after completing a strong season and battling a number of obstacles, including multiple injuries to key players senior co-captain Hana Pruzansky and freshman forward Courtney Brandt and a mid-season coaching change, the girls deserved a chance to play in CCS.
Due to publication deadlines, the Falcon was unable to print the results of Anzalone’s meeting with the CCS Board yesterday. Still, despite their dubious chances at making CCS, the team accomplished a lot this season, learning to work together in the face of adversity.
Anzalone, who recently filled in for ex-coach Tulin Mendoza after he was flet go after being unable to attend enough practices.the administration, seems to have provided the girls a smooth transition between coaches.
“We all absolutely adore [Anzalone],” said senior co-captain Hana Pruzansky. “I think her personality [along with] her outstanding coaching skills allowed us to improve a lot.”
The girls spent their last few practices focusing on what has been their main goal throughout the season increasing communication with each other out on the field. Anzalone expressed her feeling that the girls made a huge improvement in communication towards the end of the season.
“We have some great leaders on the team who really [brought the girls] together,” said Anzalone.
Aside from this, the team also worked on playing more calmly during games. Anzalone worked with the girls on anticipating the opposing team’s strategies in an attempt to encourage them to think one step ahead.
“I think the girls just need to work on finishing their shots, and need to continue to trust each other,” said Anzalone.
The girls’ hard work paid off during their game against the Milpitas Trojans on Feb. 6; they worked in tandem, clearing showcasing the improvement they made throughout the season. The game was especially special because it was the team’s senior game. A large contingent of the team is graduating. Seniors Kelly Darchuk, Katie and Claire Marsh, Hana Pruzansky and Satomi Ishikawa, will be sorely missed next year.
To commemorate the seniors’ four years of dedication to Saratoga’s soccer team, the younger members of the team celebrated the last game by dressing up to an angel theme. The seniors were “angels,” decked in bright gold spandex, shirts that said “I’m an angel” in gold spray paint, haloes and wings. The younger members wore t-shirts that said “Angels in training.”
The senior day ceremonies were interrupted by rain showers, but the banners with names of the seniors hung proudly on the bleachers. The seniors left their mark on the playing field, with the only goal coming from Darchuk on an assist from K. Marsh.
“It was a great way to end the season and even if we don’t make CCS we ended the season on a great note,” said Darchuk.