By Valerie Wang
“I am looking forward to working with this group and making playoffs this year,” states varsity head coach for seven years, Lynley Takaki. Excited, Coach Taka “Sugi” Sugimoto reckons, “I look forward to the team improving and being successful this season. We have a young team, but they are working really hard.” With 33 players total including 10 returning varsity players, the field hockey team victoriously earns their first win of the season against Del Mar High School. Currently, field hockey leads the season 4-0. However, the current victorious team holds a weakness: youth. With youth comes less experience, but luckily, the team shares a close relationship and brings their A-game every day, boosting team morale.
On Junior Varsity, the girls’ nominate sophomores Kate Johnson, Kaitlin Nguyen, and Colette “Coco” Dougher as team captains. “I look forward to watching players improve and growing closer as a team,” contemplates Kate. “I joined field hockey because I am passionate about the sport, I like being on the field and being on a team!” exclaims Kailtin, “It’s fun!” Coco adds, “What I like about field hockey is the competitive aspect, we have a great group of girls, practice is fun, and games are competitive. Field hockey is a good sport for getting involved and meeting new people. Love it!”
On Varsity, the team nominates junior, Rachel Griffith, and senior, Emily Landers, as team captains. “I love hanging with an awesome team,” laughs Rachel. Emily determines, “I look forward to working with teammates to play in playoffs.”
Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, field hockey lost their chance of competing in playoffs the past year. Last playoff appearance and last league title back in 2014, both Junior Varsity and Varsity strive for a place in the playoffs in hopes of a league victory in 2021. Catch the girls’ next home game and cheer the athletes’ on against Willow Glen High School on Thursday, September 16!