Sophomore striker Isabella Taylor completed a hat-trick and junior midfielder Caroline Chen added a goal as the Falcons defeated Half Moon Bay 4-2 in an away game on Dec. 8.
With a preseason record of 3-0-1, the Falcons are looking to step up to the challenge of the De Anza League after losing key players — goalkeeper Isa Berardo, midfielder Lauren Plesse, striker Kimberly Chen, fullback Kaitlyn Chen and right back Lauren Maia — to graduation. After making a historic run in CCS last year, reaching semifinals for the first time in two decades, the team hopes to continue their legacy.
As co-captain, junior midfielder Chloe McGhee does her best to motivate the eight underclassmen.
“I know they’re all really nervous about it, so just having the positivity has really helped us,” McGhee said.
For freshman goalkeeper Adrienne Chan, inheriting Berardo’s old position comes with challenges.
“It feels like there’s high expectations and big shoes I need to fill, so it takes time to adjust, but I’m getting the hang of it,” Chan said. “It’s been fun and the team’s continued to grow, and we’re gonna get better together.”
Against San Mateo at home on Dec. 6, the girls fought to a 0-0 tie. Late in the second half, freshman striker and top goalscorer Ananya Krishnan suffered a lip injury that kept her sidelined for a week.
Earlier, on Dec. 5 at Yerba Buena, the Falcons triumphed 8-0 with a hat-trick by Krishnan, a brace each from senior co-captain and midfielder Emily Chen and senior left wing Karissa Dong and a goal by Taylor. McGhee, junior striker Ishana Narayanan, junior right back Sadhana Vadrevu and junior right wing Allison Borch were among those who provided assists.
This season, Borch has enjoyed playing a new position. After two years with the Falcons as right back, a defensive position, Borch has joined the attacking line.
“I got more interested in playing outside midfield, so as I started playing that more, I realized I was kind of good at it,” Borch said. “I told [coach Ben Maxwell] so he’s been starting me out that way.”
At home against Notre Dame San Jose (NDSJ) on Dec. 2, the girls managed two goals in the second half by junior right back Vivian Luo and Krishnan to secure a 2-0 victory, defeating NDSJ for the third consecutive year in preseason.
“We’re actually looking really good right now,” McGhee said. “The underclassmen are really strong, and it’s definitely going to help us throughout the season. CCS is a really possible chance.”
Due to printing deadlines, the Falcon was unable to cover the home preseason match against Willow Glen on Dec. 13 in this issue.