Young team hopes chemistry pays off
MORGAN HILL — Sobrato field hockey’s offseason bonding has been rigorous, so rigorous you can sample some of the experience from several hundred feet away.
The Lady Bulldogs took a break during Wednesday’s practice to play a charades-like game called “Pterodactyl,” one of their many unique team-building exercises. Across the athletic field at Sobrato High School, the football players turned their heads toward the sound of loud prehistoric squawking.
“That’s probably their favorite game,” sixth-year field hockey coach Niki Donaldson said with a smile. “It gives them a chance to get to know each other a little more.”
Like any young team coming off the loss of a core group of seniors, the Bulldogs emphasized fusing a strong sense of unity this summer.
“We’re bonding a lot. We’re a close team this year,” senior Brianna Sugimoto said. “There haven’t been any cliques this year. That’s important when you’re on the field. You know where everyone is, and it’s like a big family. You get to know where people play, and it makes the game easier.”
Team chemistry was a catalyst for success last year, when Sobrato finished a program-best 5-7-2 in league play — good for fifth place in the West Valley Division — and 5-11-2 overall. The Bulldogs have returned six players from that team, including seniors Andrea Lora, Vicky Perry, Amanda Priest, Kristin Wallash and Sugimoto.
“We were pretty loaded last year,” Donaldson said. “It’s a different team this year.
“I expect big things from all of our returners, every single one of them. They better be ready to step up.”
That is the only expectation Donaldson has thus far; Sobrato is still two weeks away from its Sept. 11 opener against rival Live Oak. Donaldson and her staff are watching things fall into place — and have had pleasant surprises.
One of the biggest has been the improved goalkeeping of Wallash, who came out of her shell while starting as a junior in 2008.
“She used to say ‘please’ and ‘I’m sorry’ a lot on the field last year. She’s a lot more aggressive this year,” said assistant coach Casey Post, a former Sobrato netminder. “She’s a really good team leader because she’s not mean, but she’s vocal. Off the field, she’s still the sweetest girl.”
Sugimoto said her goalie looks a lot more confident this year. It may be because Wallash is receiving quality reps at practice.
“They’re really good at shooting,” she said of her teammates. “I’m actually surprised with how good the juniors are. I can’t even tell they’re juniors, not to sound bad.”
Those juniors include Rachel Bakin, Dawn Watts, Katie Merten, Katelyn Goyette, Andrea Salem and Udoka Okafor, who were listed on last year’s junior varsity roster.
“The younger girls are picking things up really well,” Sugimoto said.
The varsity Bulldogs have a freshman — a freshman with the last name Van Keulen. Fourteen-year-old Kate Van Keulen, whose sister, Lindsay, was a standout for the program the past four years, is continuing a family legacy.
Lindsay taught her little sister how to play this summer.
“Kate does things similarly. … She actually looks like Lindsay,” Donaldson said. “Lindsay was pretty important to this team on and off the field. She was a big part. Kate’s taking her spot.”
