Prep Roundup: Oct. 10

After being beaten in sudden death overtime by Monterey last month, the Cougars returned the favor.
Christopher edged Monterey 7-6 in sudden death overtime in front of its family, friends and 24 JV teammates who cheered the team on for seven quarters Thursday at Santa Catalina.
Monterey had a chance to win it towards the end of the 6th, drawing a 5-meter penalty. Rookie goalie Nicole Andresen didn’t flinch and rose out of the water to block the ball Monterey had fired at her— and Christopher’s pool deck went wild.
“Blocking a 5-meter shot is a once in a lifetime event,” Cougar coach Jim Shuster said via email. “Nicole Andresen’s block allowed the team to come back and win. This makes Nicole the game’s MVP.”
The teams were tied 6-6 heading into the three minute sudden death quarter. With just a minute remaining, Malaya Santos caught a quick pass from Natalie Garcia and charged down towards the cage. Two Monterey defenders were there to meet her, but so was Sierra Cellabos. Santos connected with Cellabos, who wasted no time firing the shot past the goalie for the win.
Both teams battled, displaying stellar defense to keep the scoring to a minimum. Neither Christopher nor Monterey could seal the deal in regulation and the game was tied 5-5 heading into OT.
Shuster said Christopher’s sprinters—Garcia, Santos and Cellabos—played more on defense to ensure Monterey’s players couldn’t get behind them and score. The defensive core—Sabrina Seery, Hannah Marquez and Ashley Irby—then moved forward to take control of the offense.
Irby led the team in scoring with three goals on six shots and two assists. She also had six steals in the game. Santos scored twice for the Cougars and Cellabos and Marquez each added one. 
Christopher will be back in action to play San Lorenzo Valley at 4 p.m. Oct. 21 on the road. 
FIELD HOCKEY
Gilroy blanks St. Ignatius
Katrina Carter did it again. 
The Gilroy senior scored two goals to lead the Mustangs to a 3-0 win over St. Ignatius Thursday on the road. 
Carter scored on a short corner in the first and another in the second. Ellie Sausen added another corner goal late in the game to put the nail in St. Ignatius’s coffin. 
Gilroy’s defense shined against St. Ignatius and saw stellar play from Emily Boykin, Angela Hays, Illeana Garcia and Carlie C. Coach Adam Gemar said Carlie was especially stellar, earning her the Player of the Game award. 
The Mustangs (12-1-3 overall, 4-1-1 in league) will be back in action at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Presentation.
VOLLEYBALL
Mustangs fall to NMC
The Condors of North Monterey County proved too much for Gilroy Thursday. 
The Mustangs lost 15-25, 16-25, 22-25 despite an excellent serving run by Alexis Conlon. Conlon went on a nine-point serving run in the third set, but Gilroy was unable to capitalize on it. 
The JV squad saw its first third set of the season, but lost 2-1 to NMC. The JV Mustangs won their first set 25-20, before losing the next two 11-25, 11-25. Kiana Lester led the offense with seven kills, while Michele Mickelson had three. Jade Borges and Vanessa Barboza each added two. 
Cassandra Guerero and Vanessa Barboza both served 100 percent. 
Gilroy will play Mt. Madonna on Wednesday. JV plays at 5:15 p.m., varsity at 6:30 p.m.
Balers best Christopher
San Benito and Christopher met for the second time this season, but ended with the same result.
The Balers topped the Cougars 3-1 at Christopher Thursday. 
Christopher won the first set 25-20, before losing the next three 11-25, 13-25, 21-25.
Stats from this game were not yet available.
The Cougars (12-7 overall, 2-3 in league) will be back on the court at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Notre Dame.