Chemistry key to soccer success Chemistry key to soccer success (January 27, 2006)

LAHS Girls squad stomps Fremont on way to near-perfect season

By Greg Hancock

For the Los Altos girls soccer team, the beat goes on.

The Eagles (13-1, 8-0) won a laugher on Saturday afternoon, thumping the Fremont Firebirds 9-0 to keep their impressive season rolling along. Los Altos has already proven to the rest of the SCVAL that they are a team that plays with a lot of skill; however, the difference for Los Altos, in comparing them to other teams, is the overall team chemistry.

Assistant coach Kaveh Chehrehsa spoke prior to the game about what makes this team so unique.

"The girls have really clicked this year. A big reason for this is because of the camaraderie they share. All of these girls have played together a lot because of their club teams. They know each other very well."

In last week's three league games, the Eagles shut out all three opponents: Wilcox, Lynbrook and Fremont. Their only loss this season came from Mitty back in early December.

Winning usually will keep a team a happy, cohesive unit -- but for some teams, it doesn't necessarily translate into off-the-field socializing. For Los Altos, it does.

"We all hang out outside of school. We have team get-togethers and everyone gets along. Whether you are a freshman or a senior, everyone is friends," says senior Lauren Grazebrook.

As the game began and the Eagles looked for their 10th straight victory overall, their patented ball control offense began to roll. Los Altos was on Fremont's side of the field all afternoon, firing shot after shot at the goal. The Eagles out-shot the Firebirds 22-1, the most telling statistic of the game.

Defensively, Los Altos didn't allow a shot to reach goalkeeper Emily Galli's hands until late in the second half. The Eagles, remarkably, have not allowed a goal in eight league matches.

Fremont goalie Kendra Roseberry played well until she left the game early in the second half with a hand injury. Following Roseberry's departure, Los Altos scored six goals.

Six players scored for Los Altos. Sarah Nolet had a huge game, with three goals, while Brittany Westrum, Jaqueline D'Innocenti, Emily Langston, Julia Cashen and Grazebrook also found the back of the net.

Los Altos isn't a team that needs help from its opponents, but that's exactly what Fremont gave the Eagles in the first half. With the game still tied 0-0, a crossing pass by Emily Langston was accidentally kicked into the Fremont goal by a Firebirds defender. After this lucky break, the Eagles steamrolled.

Other teams in the SCVAL must be wondering if this juggernaut will be able to continue this level of play into upcoming seasons. The Eagles roster is comprised of only three seniors and two juniors. With three freshman and 11 sophomores currently on the roster, the program should continue to be loaded with talent.

"I think that the team has a lot of potential," says Grazebrook. "We have about 11 players that play on the same club team. I think only good things will come in the future."

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