After a 4-1 win home against Cupertino on Jan. 21, the girls’ soccer team solidified their first place standing in the El Camino League with a 4-0 away win against Wilcox on Jan. 23.
With a mid-season record of 6-0-1, the Falcons have averaged around a four-goal difference per game against their opponents. Their tight defensive line has only given away six goals in the past five games; and their only setback was against Fremont; they tied the Firebirds 3-3 in an away game on Jan. 3.
Senior captain and center back Hillary Gonzalez attributes this result to the fact that this game was their first coming off winter break, so many of the athletes were not completely engaged.
Fremont had been the team’s top competitor for first place in league, but after they fell 2-0 to Monta Vista on Jan. 14, the Falcons quickly solidified first place and aim to maintain it for the rest of the season.
Gonzalez attributes their success to a strong team dynamic, allowing for fluid collaboration between players: “We’re all bonded very well, so we know how to work well with each other. There’s no cliques in the group, so everyone’s working together, and the freshmen are very willing to talk to us upperclassmen,” she said.
The team’s starting lineup has been their strength, with several noteworthy players including leading goal-scorer and sophomore attacking midfielder Katie Lu averaging 2.2 goals per game, junior striker Keatyn Spendlove averaging 1.1 assists per game and Gonzalez leading the defensive line.
As the team heads into the latter half of their season, minor injuries to starting players have led head coach Ben Maxwell to utilize the team’s full roster of 23 players. Both Lu and sophomore winger Claire Chen are recovering from an ankle injury, junior center back Misha Singla is returning to contact play after suffering a minor concussion and sophomore midfielder Emma Merrill is playing through a back injury. As a result, Gonzalez said practices have been light with a focus on improving their touches and keeping their legs loose for their weekday games.
Gonzalez looks forward to facing the Firebirds at their last league game at home on Feb. 18, hoping to take the win. The team is optimistic for their chances at finishing first in the league and earning a CCS bid.
“This season has definitely been my favorite. I’m a captain now, which has been really fun. I’m excited for the rest of this season, and I hope to finish at the top of the league once again, like in my freshman year,” Gonzalez said.
