Girls’ soccer preview: Spendlove, Oberhauser lead Falcons into a new season

Senior Jiah Jung does a simple drill during tryouts.

With strong returning players and incoming freshmen, the team is looking forward to the season.

Head Coach: Ben Maxwell

Last year’s record: 10-18

Recap: Last year, the team finished fourth in its division and almost made it to CCS, but failed as they needed to win one more game.

Star Players: Keatyn Spendlove, Kate Oberhauser

Key losses to graduation: Gabi Golko, Alex Burgos

League: De Anza

Prognosis:

After missing CCS by one game last year, the Falcons are more determined than ever to make it this year.

“The overall goal would just be to make it to CCS since we weren’t quite able to do that last year,” senior co captain Kate Oberhauser said. “We just have to get off to a good start preseason and get as many wins as we can.”

Oberhauser will be going to UC San Diego, where she has already verbally committed to play Division I soccer.

With younger star players like sophomore striker Keatyn Spendlove, freshmen left wing and attacking midfielder Katie Lu and winger Claire Chen, the team is excited to mentor the new players to be the best players possible. The team is considered small, with 18 players.

The early season has seen them jump straight into training and simple technical drills like dribbling between cone to cone. Players have also been working on speed and agility drills, like jumping over hurdles. They end with scrimmages at the end of practice.

The team is also working on their mental game on top of practicing.

“Having a strong mentality is crucial to the game,” Spendlove said. “It can help a lot even off the field.”

The team’s first preseason game will be on Nov. 30 against Hillsdale High School.

“I think we’ll do very well. Everybody seems very committed and wants to do what’s best for the team,” Spendlove said.