After another successful season and a Pacific Coast League Gabilan Division championship, it’s time for the departing seniors on the Gilroy High field hockey team to decide on their future. One of them—Mustangs star Cami Rogers—signed a letter of intent last Friday to play field hockey at UC Davis.
With only a few choices of California schools who offer field hockey, going to UC Davis was tops on Rogers’ list. Rogers will need to play a significant role for UC Davis coach Britt Broedy, whose Aggies team went 6-13 overall and 0-6 in conference play last season.
“At first I wanted to go somewhere else in the country, but then I realized I wanted to stay home,” said Rogers, who also considered the University of Iowa and University of Virginia. “Davis was my No. 1 choice in California. It’s so safe there and I love the vibe.”
Rogers, who mostly plays midfield, was asked to play multiple positions at Gilroy, an experience she believes helped her develop as a player.
“It’s helped me understand the game more,” Rogers said. “They (UC Davis) haven’t told me where they want me to play, but I’m 100 percent up to playing anywhere they want me to play.”
Rogers’ connection to UC Davis goes back to her former Mustangs teammate Carli Coyler, a sophomore forward for the Aggies.
“They asked my old teammate if we had any good players on our team, and they came out and watched our game against Mitty,” Davis said. “They only saw me play once, but they have that kind of confidence in me.”
Coach Adam Gemar’s Mustangs squad went 17-3 and a perfect 11-0 in their conference this past season, and while their season came to a close on Nov. 3 with a 3-1 loss against St. Ignatius High, one local opposing coach knows how hard it is to play against Rogers.
“She’s one of those players you need to plan to play against because she can do so much damage,” said Christopher High coach Dani Hemeon, who also coached Rogers at the Infinity
Sports Club. “I know when she goes to Davis she’ll do the same thing.”
It took a lot of work and support to get Rogers to this point and judging by the amount of support she got at her college signing, there is no limit to where she can go.
“My cheeks are shaking,” Rogers said after posing for dozens of pictures after the signing ceremony.
