The 2-1 victory over undefeated Lynbrook, Brooke Willis' hat trick against Prospect, the game-clinching goal with no time on the clock to beat Monta Vista.
Those were some of the highlights of Live Oak's 2007 field hockey season, as recalled Friday by coach Gina Sanders.
They were also just footnotes to a larger story. As superb as the Lady Acorns were last fall, they still failed to reach the CIF-Central Coast Section playoffs by the narrowest of margins, finishing mere percentage points behind third-place Presentation in the Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division standings. Only the top three teams advance.
"It left them wanting more," Sanders said. "It's hard because all of the teams in the division are on the same level. You can't take any game for granted. The teams are so equal, one loss can bump you down significantly."
Live Oak was sitting pretty midway through the season. The Acorns had sole possession of second place heading into a promising matchup with Cupertino on Oct. 19 - the start of homecoming weekend for Live Oak. The pesky Pioneers pulled off a 2-1 upset, though, dropping the Acorns into a three-way tie for second place. A crippling 1-1 tie to Willow Glen put Live Oak's playoff chances to rest. Presentation clinched the final postseason spot with an 8-4-2 league mark, while the Acorns finished fourth at 8-5-1.
"Another goal would have put us in," midfielder Amanda Whitling said. "We felt like we were robbed. We had a good season and a good team. I don't know what happened. It just fell through."
The Acorns vow not to let it happen again in 2008 - and they aren't taking chances. Complete with seven varsity veterans, Live Oak returned to fall camp with the goal of being in the best shape possible. That's meant less field hockey and more running. The Acorns spent last week kicking two-milers, wind sprints and ladder runs.
"Conditioning is everything in this sport," Sanders said with a whistle in her mouth at Friday's practice. "They're looking good. They've been working hard. It's just not a lot of fun for them."
Sanders' players aren't complaining. It's one thing to have a goal - but another to work for it.
"We never ran this much before," said Willis, a senior forward. "I feel like we're going to have a strong team this year. We're very determined."
Willis is no exception. Live Oak's lone returning all-league honoree aims to shoulder her team's effort with increased production. Willis led the Acorns in assists last year but wanted more goals.
"I can do more," she said. "It's good to be on a team where everyone can score."
Willis is one of 13 upperclassmen on the team, from whom Sanders expects big things. Live Oak's roster includes six seniors - Kourtney Kientzy, Julia Hartl, Kelly Hillman, Hayley Hamilton, Willis and Whitling - and seven juniors - Niki Patel, Sarah Bernardini, Jacey Turay, Erin Laggett, Ariana Guerrero and veteran goalkeeper Margaret Tanner.
The Acorns also have two quick sophomores in Catherine Sparling and Lauren Drewniany; plus a pair of up-and-coming freshmen in Kiersten Doting and Megan Rauschnot.
"We have a pretty big team this year," Sanders said. "It wasn't easy making cuts. We definitely have a team that can make CCS."
Postseason berths were the expectation - rather than the goal - for Live Oak back when Sanders played earlier in the decade. The second-year coach is eager to bring that tradition back.
"The girls always want to go to CCS, but the season is about taking steps one at a time," Sanders said. "That starts with winning league. We're still used to competing for it."
Live Oak opens its season in the Sept. 5-6 Willow Glen Jamboree before playing San Jose on Sept 9. and cross-town rival Sobrato on Sept. 11. The Acorns haven't lost to the Bulldogs yet.
Scott J. Adams Scott J. Adams covers Morgan Hill sports for South Valley Newspapers. Send him an email or call him at 779-4106.
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