Gilroy’s varsity field hockey team couldn’t score a goal for
each of its nine seniors playing their final home game, but the
Mustangs came awfully close.
Gilroy’s varsity field hockey team couldn’t score a goal for each of its nine seniors playing their final home game, but the Mustangs came awfully close.
GHS dominated Tri-County Athletic league opponent York High School 8-0 at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex Tuesday, remaining undefeated in league (11-0) while also finding time to send its seniors out in style.
Each junior read a speech about a player in their final year, and all the underclassmen honored the seniors with gifts. The speeches consisted of “touching words about their relationships and how they’ve grown with each other over the last few years,” coach Erin Gemar said.
Parents then came down from the stands and onto the field to take pictures.
Aside from the festivities, there was also a stellar game of hockey played.
Veteran and rookies paired off in the first half, with Amanda Spellman scoring off a Diana Carter assist (both are seniors) before Alex Rose took a Dani Hemeon pass to score (both are freshmen).
With a 2-0 lead at halftime, the Mustangs found their rhythm in the final 30 minutes, scoring on goals by Elise Ogle, Jenna Vivian, Caitlyn Pierotti, Hemeon and Spellman again, and Carter.
Vivian had four points on the day by assisting three goals, dishing one to Pierotti, who is normally a goalkeeper.
The “Stick of the Game” went to goalie Geralyn Moon, who fended off several shots after Gilroy decided to pull several players to practice overtime situations.
“She was able to make the right choice and clear the ball every time,” Gemar said.
In addition to family and friends who were there to celebrate the careers of the nine seniors (Carter, Emily Haygood, Deena Morsilli, Pierotti, Spellman, Victoria Salas, Ashley Serrano, Lindsey Valadez, Amanda Vasquez and Vivian), an estimated 200 local elementary and middle school students were brought to watch a game “many had never seen” before, Gemar said.
“They definitely built up the excitement to ‘Senior Night,’ ” the coach added.
Gilroy’s final regular season game will be Friday at North Salinas at 3:30 p.m.
The Mustangs will then begin their quest for a Central Coast Section title by hosting a first-round game Thursday, Nov. 8 at 3 p.m. The opponent for that contest has yet to be decided.
