Field hockey team misses opportunity to climb standings
MORGAN HILL — Against Westmont, the field hockey team from Sobrato High School had a chance to break into the West Valley Division title hunt Wednesday but lost 1-0 in the Outdoor Sports Center.
The Warriors (3-1-1 league) are within a game of first place and looked every bit the part, keeping the ball on Sobrato’s side of the field for most of the afternoon.
“I actually think we could have beaten them,” SHS coach Jessica Naranjo said. “We needed to pick up our passing and our push to score.”
With two minutes left in the first half, Westmont’s Julia Matson scored off a pass to the wide-open side of the cage.
Sobrato goalkeeper Diamond Jankela was solid from there. The senior had eight saves and broke up several short-corner plays; the Warriors forced 10.
Defender Udoka Okafor also helped keep the Bulldogs in the fight with key stops.
“I think we stepped up a lot on defense,” Naranjo said. “Diamond had a great game. This is her first year at goalie, and she’s been doing really well.”
Before the game, Naranjo switched in Andrea Salem at midfield to better utilize Salem’s crisp long passes. The move almost paid off in 50th minute when Salem sent the ball to Caitlyn Ryman in the right corner, and Ryman kicked it out to Rachel Bakin, whose shot from less than 10 yards out missed wide right.
For the Bulldogs (2-3), it was the fourth league game decided by one goal.
“They all have the attitude where they know they can win every game,” Naranjo said.
Winless Monta Vista hardly slowed Live Oak’s sprint to a possible Santa Teresa Division championship on Wednesday.
The visiting Acorns won 3-0 to remain unbeaten in league, receiving two goals by Lysette Abarca and another score and assist by Catherine Sparling.
Megan Rauschnot and Kirsten Doting both had two assists for Live Oak (5-0).
GIRLS WATER POLO
The Live Oak Acorns withstood a late rally by Santa Teresa to win 13-11 for their first Mount Hamilton Division victory Wednesday at Live Oak High School.
Rachel Cretcher and Priscilla Orona scored five goals apiece, Marissa Sendejas added two and Amber Acevedo one for the Acorns (1-2).
GIRLS GOLF
The Lady Acorns swept Sobrato this week in Mount Hamilton play, winning by forfeit Monday and triumphing 185-231 Tuesday at Gilroy Golf Course.
Live Oak senior Paige Flores shot 41 as medalist in the latter match.
CROSS COUNTRY
Results were not released until late Thursday, but the Live Oak boys beat Lincoln and San Jose on Wednesday at Montgomery Hill and are 4-0 in the West Valley.
Kalum Bergstrom and Adam Groen were the Acorns’ top finishers.
The LOHS girls suffered their first loss against San Jose but beat Lincoln behind a strong effort by Amber Thomas and Chelsie Faulk.
ALUMNI NEWS
Live Oak graduate John Ellis will play in a Frys.com Open qualifier Monday at Bayonet Course in Seaside.
Ellis is coming off a 29th-place finish in a Nationwide Tour event last week at Soboba Springs Golf Course in San Jacinto.
“Bayonet is a really tough course, I definitely have to be aggressive but cautious,” he said. “This is my last chance to make it.”
The Frys.com Open begins Thursday at CordeValle Golf Club.
