Girls’ soccer works toward CCS playoff

Head coach Ben Maxwell is having the team focus on high pressing the opponent from the start to finish of every game, and it’s an approach that is starting to pay dividends.

As of Jan. 26, the Falcons held a 2-1-2 record in the De Anza division.

In their first game at Homestead on Jan. 6, the Falcons finished with a 2-2 draw after the Mustangs tied the game in the last 10 minutes with a free kick.

Sophomore midfielder Daphne Liu assisted senior midfielder Ciara Bowen for the first goal. Junior goalkeeper Isa Berardo threw a long pass down the field, which junior forward Kimberly Chen finished for the second goal.

The Falcons defeated rival Los Gatos 3-0 on Jan. 8 at home in an outstanding team performance. Junior midfielder Fiona Sequeira scored two goals and had one assist, and senior center-back Anisha Nagarajan registered a header goal. Berardo recorded four saves for the shut-out.

“Our team has typically felt like the underdog when playing Los Gatos. My freshman year when we beat them was the first time in 10 years,” Berardo said. “It was so fulfilling to come together on the field and really give it our all to show them that Saratoga is done being the underdog.”

In their third game at Palo Alto on Jan. 13, the Falcons suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat. Chen attributed the loss to being second to tackles and not distributing or attacking as well as the team could have.

Maxwell acknowledged the team’s potential for improvement, but didn’t let the result deter team morale.

“We won’t let a high like beating Los Gatos or a low like losing to Palo Alto define our season,” he said. “We have to consistently demand the best from our players to ensure a successful run.”

Maxwell holds intense training sessions four times a week with plyometric drills, skills, fitness drills and possession or small-sided games to improve the team tactically. At the beginning and end of each practice, he holds team meetings to remind everyone of the squad’s goal: making it to CCS.

The team attributes its success to the hard work at training, dedication from coaches and team bonding over weekly dinners and secret buddy gifts, which the team feels are helping everyone come together.

The team rallied back together on Jan. 15 at home for an impressive 2-0 defeat over Los Altos, with goals from Chen and Liu.

At Santa Clara on Jan. 22, the team tied 1-1 with a goal from Chen assisted by a pass from sophomore midfielder Hannah Leonard. Senior co-captain Amy Shepherd suffered an ankle sprain in the first half of the match that will sideline her for at least two weeks, causing the team to make adjustments in the starting line-up.

The Falcons continue league play this season with a match against Palo Alto at home on Feb. 3.