A back and forth contest between Gilroy girls varsity field
hockey and Los Gatos ended in a 3-3 tie Friday.
A back and forth contest between Gilroy girls varsity field hockey and Los Gatos ended in a 3-3 tie Friday.
The first Los Gatos goal was a terrific right cross with a deflection at the far post. Los Gatos then got a break when GHS’ Laura Spellman had a penalty stroke called back, which could have tied the game. After a timeout, Los Gatos scored a second goal, which hit the far post and went in.
Gilroy’s first goal come from Amanda Spellman after a mad scramble in front of the goal. She pulled a ball from the goalie’s pads and aerialed (lifted) it over the keeper for the score.
Los Gatos’ last goal come from a mistake in the back field as a back pass was mishandled under pressure, trying to transfer the ball from right to left. After the ball was given away, Los Gatos had a wide open lane to Gilroy’s 25-yard line.
Down 3-1 with about seven minutes remaining, the Mustangs started to show heart and determination, playing with incredible focus, according to coaches. Laura Spellman and Elise Ogle led the team by finding each other to carry the ball through the midfield, and deep into Los Gatos’ zone.
“They had great stick work and controlled the tempo for the remaining part of the game,” coach Adam Gemar said.
The team scored with a shot from Dani Hemeon that was saved, but rebounded right to Jennifer Rose, who found the back of the net. Then, with two minutes remaining, Jennifer Rose executed a beautiful shot to the far post in a short corner play that was tipped in by Dani Hemeon to tie the game.
The Mustangs had great goaltending from Kaitlyn Pierotti, who played most of the game before coming out in the final ten minutes. She was replaced by Geralyn Moon.
“We are a really young team. We have not had much playing time together, but we have a forward line that plays defense which was huge for us today,” said GHS coach Erin Gemar. “I think everyone would agree that, even tying, this was a moral victory for Gilroy.”
Lindsey Valadez said it best, “If this team can play every game this season, the way we played the last 8 minutes of this one, it’ll be a team anyone would want to be a part of…”
Dani Hemeon, the first freshman from Gilroy to ever score against Los Gatos, earned player of the game.
Gilroy JV lost 3-0.
