By Sam Elchert
Staff Writer

With only five returning varsity players, the Los Altos field hockey team got off to a slow start, but things are looking up for the stick-wielding eagles. The young players are quickly gaining valuable experience and went unscored upon in the recent Los Altos tournament. They also beat Saint Ignacious in the tournament, a team that had defeated Los Altos 3-1 in a previous encounter.
“We’re bypassing our expectations,” said Daphne Owen, one of the few seniors on the team.
Speaking of expectations, the field hockey girls, at 3-2-1 in league play, feel that they have a good shot at being league champions and guarantee a top three finish.
The players also aspire to make it to CCS playoffs and feel confident that if they can make it there, they will be able to do some damage.
“They have the potential to qualify for CCS as long as they continue to communicate and work well as a team,” Coach Gerri Baldwin said.
Seemingly invincible teams from the past such as Los Gatos and Saint Francis are not dominating this season as they are usually able to do, giving the Los Altos girls even more hope of making an appearance at CCS.
Some of the key players this year include sophomore sweeper Perrine Schaller, junior back/midfielder Fariba Dorosti, and sophomore power forward Sarah Nolet. Much of the field hockey team’s success can also be attributed to senior newcomer Caitlin “Sparky” Rhodes. The center midfielder with five years of field hockey experience is valuable as a player and a second coach.
“This is one of the best teams I’ve been on. We have really good team dynamics,” Caitlin said.
In addition to their good teamwork, the team boasts exceptional speed, though the members are still working out the kinks of stick work and ball control.
The young women wish for more fan support at their games, and encourage all students and parents to attend any of their games, especially if it is a game played on the new astroturf field.