A 2-0 non-league loss to Leigh High on Jan. 8 won’t put a dent on the Los Gatos High girls soccer team’s resume at any point in the season.
After all, the Longhorns entered the game ranked No. 3 in the state by Max Preps and is a perennial Northern California powerhouse. Sure, the Wildcats would’ve loved a win but Leigh improved to 9-0 for a reason.
The more important factor is for the Wildcats to stay on the trajectory they’ve been on this season, which is ascending. Los Gatos coach Jessica Ingram is confident the players will respond accordingly.
“We want to make sure we learn from this and continue to grow,” she said. “Our girls are doing a great job. Similar to last year, they’re focused on the culture, and just making sure we’re working and doing everything together. I’m very pleased with the girls’ performance and their development, but also where we are in the season and where we want to go.”
That would be to rise among the Central Coast Section’s elite, and the Wildcats are right there at the doorstep. They’ve already posted 1-1 draws with Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division heavyweights Mountain View and Palo Alto.
Should Los Gatos (5-2-3 overall, 1-0-2 league) continue to produce results like that against the top-tier teams, it could find itself in the Open Division playoff field this season, which takes the top eight teams in the section. Against Leigh, Los Gatos created as many if not more scoring chances in the first half only to see the Longhorns decisively control the possession in the second half. Leigh scored goals in the 17th and 76th minute and had a couple of near-misses in the second half.
“I think it was even both ways,” Ingram said. “I think [in terms] of creating goal scoring opportunities, I think we had a little more in both halves. But they were the team that put away chances and did a good job on that.”
Wildcats goalkeeper Cora Bryant had a couple of terrific saves, none better than when she came off her line to cut off the angle of a shot from an incoming Leigh player after Los Gatos gave the ball away in its defensive third late in the first half.
The Wildcats were at their best in the first 40 minutes, at times controlling the possession for decent stretches and displaying their skills against a premier squad.
“I think overall we aren’t going to be as big as some of the schools we play, but the technical, the speed, the soccer IQ, the girls have all stepped up dramatically with that so I could not be more proud of them,” Ingram said.
The ’Cats have plenty of playmakers, including junior Macie Yannoni, who is strong on the ball, distributes the ball effectively and possesses a rocket for a shot. Seniors Caitlyn Simons, Ellie White and Kate Gruetter always seem to be around the ball making something happen, and junior Ruby Kruse has been a steady contributor.
What’s particularly encouraging for those around the program is the talent and depth at the freshmen and sophomore levels. Any team looking for a sustained run of success needs to be replenishing talent at the lower grade levels, and that’s exactly what the Wildcats are doing.
Bryant, Leighton Ozawa, Jordan Park and Maci Schwab form a tremendous sophomore class that are true difference-makers. Ozawa was particularly active against Leigh. When Los Gatos had the ball, especially in the first half, Ozawa seemed to be in the middle of the action, either possessing the ball or distributing it. Then there’s the freshmen class, arguably the best among any school in the CCS.
Abby Nelson, Avery Edson, Darcy Armstrong, Madison Kohli and Teagan Kaefer have made an impact from Day One, each in different ways. Younger players are seemingly making a greater impact at the high school level than ever before, and Kohli is a prime example.
Strong, physical and fast on the flanks, Kohli creates scoring opportunities by outrunning defenders to a 50-50 ball or beating them 1-on-1. The Wildcats’ freshmen are not playing like typical freshmen.
“I think every year you’ll hit different growths, and some kids grow faster than others,” Ingram said. “Madi Kohli has grown fast, Abbie’s fast, Avery is one of our stronger freshmen, Teagan is strong and Darcy is probably our smallest but she’s still feisty and she works very hard.”
