Facing the Los Gatos Wildcats in its annual season-opening
matchup, Gilroy’s varsity field hockey team won a thrilling contest
3-2 on Friday.
Facing the Los Gatos Wildcats in its annual season-opening matchup, Gilroy’s varsity field hockey team won a thrilling contest 3-2 on Friday.
Mustangs coach Adam Gemar predicted a tough match for his team, saying Los Gatos’ Henry Reyes always has his squads prepared. The two coaches have a history together, which is why the two teams make sure on playing each other at the start of each of the last few seasons.
“I’m always grateful that Henry gave us the opportunity to play them when Gilroy was struggling it’s way up to a higher level of field hockey,” Gemar said.
Jennifer Rose scored the first goal of the game for Gilroy, which then saw its lead disappear after two short corner goals by the Wildcats.
The Mustangs rebounded with two of their own for the win when Dani Hemeon slotted a shot in from the right side, followed by a Marissa McBride goal with just three minutes remaining.
Hemeon, coming form the right side of the field again, brought the ball down to the end line before pushing it across the seven-yard stroke mark. The pass went into traffic Marissa McBride was it able to tap it in for the clincher.
“The first half was a little sluggish, but I thought both teams were pretty evenly matched,” Gemar said. “Personally, I thought we had much better skill so we had that in our favor.”
After beating Live Oak 4-1 in a scrimmage a night earlier, the Mustangs (1-0) have an unofficial win streak of two entering their Sept. 10 game against visiting Saratoga.
