Gilroy’s Katrina ‘KC’ Carter proved why she is one of the country’s elite high school field hockey players.
Almost immediately after switching her to forward, Carter scored the first of her three goals for the Mustangs to lead them to a 3-1 win over Leigh at home Tuesday.
“I think this is the first time that we actually connected as a team and started to play the infamous ‘Gilroy hockey’,” Carter said. “We call it pinball where it’s up, back and forth from the sides and then dropping back. It was a really good game; we were organized and calm, we didn’t freak out and we pulled through in the end.”
Carter scored in the 14th minute and again in the 16th to give the Mustangs a quick 2-0 lead over Leigh. She put the final nail in the Longhorns’ coffin after scoring off a corner in the 52nd minute for the final score.
Leigh’s lone goal game in the 42nd minute after goalie Jackie Jauregui had already fended off multiple shots before the visitors finally got one passed her.
“By all means she’s (Carter) one of the best in the nation as far as stick handling and she’s got a big heart and determination to put the little ball in the big net,” Mustangs coach Adam Gemar said. “That’s what we needed during those crucial times, but it wasn’t just her — it’s not a one man show or woman show. Everybody played great from defense to goalie to forwards, so it was good.”
The win was just what the doctor ordered for the Mustangs who were looking to rebound from a 6-0 loss to rival Archbishop Mitty on Friday to kickoff the second half of their season. This game improved Gilroy to an overall 8-2-2 record and a 5-2-2 record in the Mt. Hamilton League — a situation that they are suprised to be in given the overall youth and inexperience of the team.
“Honestly (preseason) I didn’t (think the Mustangs would be in contention in league),” Carter said. “But as we progressed I could see that we had a lot of talent and athleticism within the team. Everybody could pick up quickly and we all help each other. Now I feel like we can take it (league).”
The Mustangs will be back in action at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday to take on Presentation at home. Gemar said he expects to continue to see improvement as the season goes on.
“What we need to work on is just playing hockey, inexperience and everything really — just playing hockey and knowing where to go,” he said. “Position, defense, offense, how to push past — it’s the little things that they’ll get and pick up eventually. It’s just a matter of playing, watching and playing.”
