During the course of this season, the field hockey team has been in a strong position, with a 5-2 record and a second place ranking in their league. However, on Oct. 15, they fell to first place Los Gatos High School 8-0. LGHS kept MVHS on their toes with a tenacious offense, and MVHS suffered two injuries. Junior Julia Lu was impacted by a ball to the face in the first half that kept her out for the rest of the game, and junior Allegra Ziegler-Hunts was hit near the end of the game.

However, MVHS was not disappointed with its performance against such a strong opponent.

“[We played] amazing, despite what the score said,” senior captain Janaye Sakkas said. “I’m looking forward to the [second round of league play] where we can bring that to every single game.”

The Matadors began strong. Numerous runs down the middle by LGHS were blocked by the defensive line, and MVHS even attempted some shots on the goal.

With about 15 minutes left in the first half, LGHS scored its first goal. From that point on, they controlled the pace of the game. In the final minutes of the half, they scored three more goals, ending the half with a 4-0 lead.

During the first half, junior Julia Lu was hit in the face by a high ball. With her glasses shattered from the impact, blood and tears streamed down Lu’s face from glass cuts. For about ten minutes, both teams formed quiet huddles as Lu’s face and the field were removed of blood.

“At first I was just in shock. I closed my eyes for like 10 minutes, just in shock,” Lu said. “Other than that it was a lot of pain.”

After being treated by trainer Maria Gishifu, Lu wanted to play. To her disappointment, she would be out for the rest of the game.

In the second half, LGHS scored four more goals, totaling the score at 8-0. Although MVHS struggled to keep up with LGHS, they recognized how strong their opponent was.

“They’re a strong team,” senior Andi Pappas said. “They know where their teammates are going to be and that’s just something we have to try matching.”

In fact, LGHS has yet to lose a match. With a very senior-heavy roster, they have not permitted a single goal and have won each game by an average margin of ten points. MVHS had its shortcomings during the game, but it was expected they would be humbled by such an opponent.

Despite the brutal loss, the Lady Matadors hope to show the same audacity in future games.

Reported by Malini Ramaiyer and Kalpana Gopalkrishnan