Garcia scores at end of first half for 1-0 lead, but Monterey
strikes before final whistle for 1-1 tie
GILROY – The final seconds of both the first and second halves determined the fate of Lady Mustang field hockey team in Thursday’s grueling home battle against Monterey.
Right before the first-half whistle, senior wing Maday Garcia gave her team a charge with a quick strike off the sticks of teammates Erin Magill and Vanessa Petrow for a 1-0 lead.
But the second-half horn could not come soon enough for the Lady Mustangs as Monterey’s Janelle Canisso touched in a shot from teammate Lyndsey Wilson on a short corner. Almost instantly the referee signaled that the game was over – ending in a 1-1 tie.
“You can’t ever get comfortable with a 1-0 lead and I don’t think we did,” co-head coach Erin Gemar said. “As always, I’m proud of the Gilroy kids for their sportsmanship… We played strong.”
Gilroy remains in first place with a 6-1-1 league record, while Monterey’s mark shifted to 4-3-2 on the season.
“It was a good game,” co-head coach Adam Gemar said. “It was fun to watch.”
Every fifty-fifty ball was contested. Every player from both sides never stopped hustling – making for some thrilling action up and down the Gilroy High field.
“They expect an incredible performance out of themselves in every game and at every practice,” Erin Gemar said. “They have bigger goals than just first place.”
Senior netminder Sam Sicard made eight saves and several more kick-outs to stop every Monterey run until the final second. The Lady Toreadors scored on their second straight short corner when Canisso sent the ball out to Wilson – who shot to the near post. Canisso went the net and finally beat Sicard for the game-tying goal.
“It always is really jumbled during short corners. It wasn’t a strong shot… but it still got in,” said Sicard, not satisfied with the final result. “Definitely not when it happens in the last negative seconds of the game because the game was over. But we’re better than ties. That’s why it’s frustrating.”
The time-keeper goes on to the field for the final 10 seconds of each half and was already on the field when the tying goal was scored.
Gilroy’s stick of the game was passed from freshman Stephanie Glenn to junior teammate Shante Mancera.
“Shante played very aggressive, excellent defense,” Erin Gemar said.
Up next, the Lady Mustangs will travel to Carmel for an Oct. 27 league game and then play host to RLS on Oct. 29 in what could be the determining game for the T-CAL title.
STILL UNBEATEN: The Lady Mustang junior varsity squad remained undefeated for the seaosn with a 2-0 victory over Monterey. Gilroy received goals from Kelly Perkins and Vanessa Rodriguez. Goaltenders Michelle Glenn and Taylor Morales combined for the shutout. The Lady Mustangs are 7-0-1 this year with four games left. The stick of the game was given to Kayla Bircher.
