Gilroy defeats Monta Vista 3-0
By Marc David Sports Editor
Gilroy – Kelly Perkins took a realistic look Tuesday at Gilroy’s 3-0 nonleague field hockey win over Monta Vista.
“It was a learning experience,” said Perkins, who had a goal and assist. “It’s early in the season. We need to learn our positions better and get in better shape.”
The Mustangs (1-0-1) were in good enough shape to win their home opener against an overmatched opponent. Not only was it the Matadors’ opener, but the visitors had 10 new varsity players and five sophomores who saw action.
“We like starting with a high skill level opponent,” Monta Vista coach Denise Eachus said. “It will motivate the girls to keep on improving. We know we have weaknesses we have to improve on.”
Perkins and Rushelle Preeshl, who also scored a goal and an assist, each know there is a lot of improvement needed before Gilroy faces powerhouse Archbishop Mitty at 4 p.m. Friday in the Willow Glen Invitational.
“We started off slow and picked it up,” Preeshl said. “We didn’t play to our potential. We were playing as individuals at the beginning. We finally came together.”
In a game sandwiched between Los Gatos and Mitty, perhaps the letdown was inevitable. There was also a mixup with the starting time that worked against the Mustangs. The varsity expected to be playing after the junior varsity, but because the Matadors’ varsity players were the first to show up, Gilroy’s varsity had to take the field before it had properly warmed up.
Five minutes into the game Lindsey Valadez took a fall after she apparently tripped over her feet. Valadez and the other Mustangs had a hearty laugh and then seemed to loosen the team up and awaken GHS offensively.
Although the Mustangs dominated the first half, they scored only once as Amanda Spellman found the goal from point-blank range with Perkins credited for the assist. Preeshl and Spellman had good looks at the goal later in the half, but Matadors’ goalie Amy Bour (15 saves) turned away the shots.
In the second half with 21:37 left, Preeshl made a rush down the right side and fired a pass that was right on Perkins’ stick and good for the second goal.
“She was right there,” Preeshl said. “Kelly and I work well together. We find each other.”
Preeshl finished the scoring with 2:59 remaining when she scored on an assist from Megan McAvoy.
The Mustangs got strong defending from Dana Schoeneman and Erin Magill. And goalie Stephanie Glenn stopped a 2-on-0 breakaway late in the first half.
“We were trying different positions, so people were all over the place,” coach Adam Gemar said of the defensive breakdown. “We played all right. It was our home opener and it was nice to get the win. We have a lot to work on. We play other teams like that and we will not be on the winning side.”
Monta Vista showed good team speed with Jordan Hopkins and Prina Patel each getting free several times and getting scoring opportunities.
“We never really played our game,” Perkins said. “We didn’t show what we had. But I think we’ll be ready Friday.”
The Gilroy junior varsity team raced to a four-goal first half lead and breezed to a 5-0 win over Monta Vista. Amy Fortino scored twice, and Sam Saenz, Priscilla Del Villar and Diana Carter each added goals for the Mustangs (1-0-1).
