GILROY – Those who closely follow Gilroy High field hockey may
look back at the 2009 season as the most successful to date – or at
least place it in the top five.
A ninth consecutive Mission Trail Athletic League title, an
astonishing 20-1 record, and a second straight appearance in the
semifinals of the Central Coast Section playoffs, the list of
accomplishments for head coach Adam Gemar and crew are worthy of
recognition.
GILROY – Those who follow Gilroy High field hockey may look back at the 2009 season as the most successful to date – or at least place it in the top five.
A ninth consecutive Mission Trail Athletic League title, an astonishing 20-1 record, and a second straight appearance in the semifinals of the Central Coast Section playoffs, the list of accomplishments for head coach Adam Gemar and crew are worthy of recognition.
And although their overall goal of a CCS championship fell short of coming to fruition, the lasting effect of the team’s success this year will be carried out with the promotion of the Mustangs’ program into the Mount Hamilton Division beginning next year, a league that includes the cream of the crop when it comes to field hockey programs such as Los Gatos, Mitty and St. Francis-Mountain View, among others.
For such an eventful season, it is only fitting that 10 girls were acknowledge by the MTAL for their year-long achievements with all-league honors.
Senior captain and Stanford-bound Elise Olge, along with fellow captain, junior Dani Hemeon and Katelyn Nebesnick, who emerged as a top-notch player as the season progressed, were given first-team honors.
“We had a great season,” Gemar wrote via e-mail. “Losing our only game in the CCS semifinals to the CCS champions, Los Gatos, showed really what a great season and how strong a season we really had. I am very proud of all the athletes who were a part of our hockey season. They worked hard and deserve all the praise and awards that they earned.”
Ogle missed the last three games of the regular season but returned for the playoffs and quickly regained her midseason form.
Her success at the high school level earned her a scholarship to Stanford, a Division I field hockey
program.
Hemeon, just a junior, possesses a lethal shot, one of many skills in her arsenal.
The two were also chosen to the All-County team. Added to the long list of accolades for the two standouts is Ogle’s Most Valuable Player nod from the MTAL and Hemeon’s Junior of the Year selection.
Senior goalie Geralyn Moon, who allowed just one goal in league play this season, was selected to the second-team along with juniors Tayler Schaut and Emily Costa.
The Mustangs’ third team captain senior, Mandi Jo Torres, senior Kassii Kachakji and sophomore Krissy Chuck were named to the Honorable Mention list. Chuck was also voted Sophomore of the Year.
Senior Mariah Derry was chosen for the Sportsmanship award.
The Mustangs will return a number of players from this year’s team and will also welcome in a batch of fresh faces from a talented JV squad.
“I am very excited about next season,” Gemar wrote.
