Battling back twice to tie the score in a quarterfinal playoff
game against Archbishop Mitty Saturday, Gilroy’s varsity field
hockey team showed the kind of grit coaches dream of by forcing
overtime.
SAN JOSE
Battling back twice to tie the score in a quarterfinal playoff game against Archbishop Mitty Saturday, Gilroy’s varsity field hockey team showed the kind of grit coaches dream of by forcing overtime.
“This was one of the more exciting games of my coaching career,” Erin Gemar said. “To come back, and especially to come back against a team as respected and feared as much as Mitty, and then to do it twice, was huge.”
Unfortunately for the Mustangs, the extra period was unkind as Mitty scored on a short corner at the two-minute mark to advance to the Central Coast Section semifinals to play St. Francis. It was the final contest for seven GHS seniors.
Trailing Mitty 1-0 after a first-half goal on a short corner, sophomore Elise Ogle evened the score with a short-corner goal of her own, assisted by Laura Spellman. GHS then found itself in another one-goal hole though when a penalty stroke was awarded to Mitty, leaving the Mustangs to trail 2-1.
“During the second half, when we were down 2-1, captains Lindsey Valadez and Amanda Spellman had no problems encouraging their team,” Gemar said, “because the confidence level was already high and the accuracy and speed of the passing during the second half was nicely executed.”
Valadez asserted herself by scoring on a short corner passed on by Marissa McBride to once gain even the match.
“It was a back and forth game with no real advantage from either team,” GHS co-head coach Adam Gemar said. “The shots on goal for both teams were low and all goals were scored by specialty plays (short corners and one Mitty penalty stroke). To come back twice was a great feeling and then going into OT, Erin and I had complete confidence in our best seven against their best seven players.”
Overtime rules dictate a team must compete with four less players on the field in extra time. The Mustangs prepared for such instances in the second half of the regular season, playing Tri-County Athletic League teams 7-on-11. But Mitty’s ability to force short corners put Gilroy at an even greater disadvantage.
After the game, Jenna Vivian gave Amanda Spellman the “Stick of the Game”, and the 13 Mustangs returning next year said a teary goodbye to the seniors on the side of the field. It was a well-fought game according to both of Gilroy’s coaches.
“A bitter loss in the playoffs always makes you think about what, as coaches, we could have done different,” Erin Gemar said. “But that is all part of the learning experience and making us as well as the team better for future. We are proud of this year’s team.”
The Gemars added that they have no regrets are already beginning to think about next year, which should be another strong season for the Mustangs with so many returners and strong junior varsity and freshman teams developing. The coaches added that the season wouldn’t have been as successful without the help of parents, fans and the junior varsity coaching staff.
