Live Oak vows not to let up after 2-0 start in league
MORGAN HILL — Maybe it was the heat, or the way Live Oak’s front lines ran dizzying circles around Prospect, but Acorns junior forward Danielle Horning couldn’t recall much about Friday’s field hockey game at Live Oak High School.
She even forgot about the two goals she scored.
“It was just like chaos,” Horning said after the 4-1 victory. “The ball just kept going in.”
And Live Oak kept pressing, showing no signs of fatigue despite the near-triple digit temperature. It was the same case two days earlier, when the Acorns caught Lynbrook by surprise in a 2-1 road win. Live Oak was the faster, more aggressive team in both Santa Teresa Division contests, and it all goes back to the way the Acorns prepared — go figure.
“What kind of statement do you want to make?” Live Oak coach Gina Sanders asks her team that question after every game. The players respond at practice. They spend about an hour repeatedly doing corner drills and self-starts — the same routine that led to Horning’s second goal Friday on a rebound opportunity.
“Repetition definitely helps, making the drills feel just like the game,” Sanders said. “When they step into a game, they realize it’s exactly like practice. You just have to keep bringing it.”
The Acorns’ conditioning goes beyond fitness. Their practice schedule alternates between the grass fields at LOHS and the turf ones at the Outdoor Sports Center, so they are well prepared for the venue of their next game.
This week, they host Homestead on Wednesday and St. Ignatius on Thursday, both at 3:30 p.m.
“Being in the shape we’re in really pays off in close games,” said junior forward Marisa Faust, who had two assists and matched teammate Catherine Sparling with one goal. “Gina’s always telling us to work hard and do our best. We try to do that from start to finish.
“We’re thankful for these two wins, but we’re not losing focus.”
That might be the best statement the Acorns (2-0 league) have made.
The Sobrato Bulldogs made it a clean sweep against University on Friday, winning 3-2 at the Outdoor Sports Center two days after beating the Red Devils 2-1.
Rachel Bakin and Katie Merten came up big in both meetings for the Bulldogs (2-0 West Valley Division). Bakin scored the game-winning goal Wednesday on a clean shot from just outside the 16-yard shooting circle and followed with another tally Friday on a beautiful hit. Merten scored the first goal Wednesday, deflecting teammate Andrea Salem’s shot into the net, and found the back of the cage again Friday with an assist by Salem.
Lauren Nuttall scored as well Friday, redirecting a shot by Nicole Kiles.
Sobrato continues league play at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Branham.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Sophomore Fa Saulala had 13 kills, and Alyssa Brusaschetti collected 20 assists Thursday as Live Oak swept Del Mar 25-13, 25-14, 25-15 in San Jose.
Gabi Cinkova added six kills and 10 digs in an error-free performance for the Acorns (5-5 overall, 2-0 Mount Hamilton Division), who have not lost a set in league.
Del Mar remained winless.
“Everyone was able to play, and it was a good match to work on our plays and consistency,” Live Oak coach Laura Coleman said in an e-mail. “It was a great serving day, so hopefully we can build on that.”
The Acorns also received three blocks apiece by Katie Obbema and Allison Shedden and 13 digs by Alli Unger.
“Passing and defense were very strong, which allowed us to keep the pressure on the other team,” Coleman said.
The Acorns continue league play on the road this week against Westmont on Tuesday and against Leigh on Thursday. Both games are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
BOYS WATER POLO
The Live Oak boys’ lack of depth wasn’t a problem in last weekend’s North Coast Section/Central Coast Section Tournament. Behind a collective effort at both ends of the pool, the Acorns salvage a .500 finish with two wins and a pair of close losses to quality programs.
Forty-eight hours after putting up a stiff fight against Mount Hamilton Division favorite Leland, Live Oak split games Friday at St. Francis High School, beating Berkeley 13-6 and losing 8-7 to Los Gatos. Saturday at Los Altos High, the Acorns fell 14-13 to California, then closed with a 20-8 victory over Pinole Valley.
“We’re definitely moving forward. Now, we just need to make the jump,” Live Oak coach Mack Haines said. “We had balanced scoring this past weekend, which is ultimately what we’re going to need to be successful.”
David Molyneux, a sophomore whom Haines said has “shown great improvement,” scored three goals against Los Gatos, and Daniel Enriquez had a hat trick against Pinole Valley. Connor Haines added two goals in the latter game.
Senior Danny Robinson, the Acorns’ leader in goals, exploded for 11 goals against California.
“I kind of allowed Danny to gamble a bit due to his skill and expertise — and due to our lack of offensive experience,” Mack Haines said. “He had an awesome game.”
The close weekend losses — Live Oak had a chance to force overtime in both — coupled with Wednesday’s 11-8 setback against Leland could be the start of a thrilling stretch run for the Acorns, who continue round-robin league play at 5 p.m. Wednesday against visiting Pioneer.
“Overall, I think we’ve met our September expectations,” Mack Haines said. “I’m really pleased with the direction we’re heading.”
GIRLS TENNIS
Sobrato played a great match against Mount Hamilton front-runner Leland on Thursday only to lose 5-2.
Alexis Whitaker highlighted the Bulldogs’ effort by beating Leland’s top single, Stephanie Pinson, 7-5 6-2. Ali Pecsok earned an impressive win as well for Sobrato (3-3 league) in the No. 2 singles spot, beating Wendy Liang 6-0, 6-2.
The visiting Chargers (6-0) swept the other matches.
The Bulldogs’ No. 2 doubles team of Allison Bettencourt and Mica Schenkelberg went three sets in a losing effort against Reshmita Bardham and Elizabeth Lee.
Sobrato visits Westmont at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday in league play.
