On Nov. 18 at Eastlake High School’s (EHS) field, the first ever Metro Mesa league all-star field hockey game takes place. Each team was picked from the best players in the Metro Mesa and South Bay areas, from which they were then separated into a blue and a white team that competed against one another. The match played out as a stellar display of each team’s strengths, especially on defense, before ending in a close 2-0 victory for the blue team.
Three Bonita Vista High (BVH) Lady Barons proved their talent for the all-star roster. Defender and senior Kendall Johnson (20), midfielder, defender and junior Isabella Garcia (25) and forward and sophomore Mackenzie Koeppen (12) all represented BVH on team white. Going into the match, Koeppen was excited for the opportunity to collaborate with previous competition.
“I am really grateful for being a part of this event because I did notonly get to play with my friends, but also with girls from other schools who are as interested in field hockey as I am. It was so cool to get to know the people that I competed against all season because now I got to be their teammate,” Koeppen said.
Despite this being the first year that a Metro Mesa league all-star field hockey game has been played, it is not the first year for the concept. The Metro Mesa league has given first and second team awards for years, but as a result of low time, past plans for an all star game have continually fallen flat.
“We wanted to play an all-star game last year, but we did not have time. However I am still so proud to have played here this year. It is really a big accomplishment,” white team, EHS center-forward and senior Helena Arce (35) said.
The long winded game started with the ball going back and forth for a prolonged period of time. Both teams on the field were unable to score, even after having possession of the ball in prime offensive territory for long periods of time. Although the game started with very few explosive moments, there was a noticeably great communicative flow that encompassed both teams.
“When I play for EHS, I always get along with my teammates, and I felt no different playing today with people from other schools. The other girls did really well even though they didn’t know how my teammates and I might have played differently,” Arce said.
The quarter continues scoreless as blue and white’s defenses routinely snatch the ball from their opposing team’s offensive drives. No matter what the game presents, the supportive crowd consistently yells out cheers of support and advice, which only motivates all of the girls to play harder.
“Hearing the crowd really motivated me. I really like when people show up to the games because it does not just give me motivation, but it gives everyone on the team the motivation and energy that they need which improves the overall environment of the game,” Koeppen said.
The second quarter begins with team white’s offense immediately driving upfield, only to be shut down by the blue team’s nearly impenetrable defense. Team blue’s offense responds to the white team’s drive by immediately marching downfield and falling short to white’s defense. It felt as if both teams found their roots in their defenses, especially the white team, who successfully utilized BVH’s Johnson to the best of their abilities.
“For this team, I feel like our major strengths were found in our defense. [Johnson] especially played very well. She was amazing. She had so many good saves,” Koeppen said.
Later in the quarter, the white team pushes into blue territory once more. Once in range, a player from the white team unleashes a flurry of shots that were subsequently blocked by the opposing goalie. Team blue then rolls the ball to the other side of the field and then obtains a corner shot after a player on team white draws a foul. Despite having the opportunity to score from the corner, blue’s offensive strategy fails and the game continues 0-0 at the end of the half.
“Our biggest weakness [on team blue] was not being able to score. Considering how many corners we had compared to the white team, we should have had more successful shots and points. If we would have capitalized on those then the game would have been much more successful than it is now,” blue team and Otay Ranch High center-midfielder and senior Aaleen Fontanilla (37) said.
The second half of the game opens with blue immediately setting up and scoring a goal. White would be unable to answer blue’s actions as the third quarter’s time slowly ticks down. The white team ensures positive reinforcements and communication on the field, however they were still unable to execute when it came to scoring.
“Throughout the game I always appreciated our team’s really good communication. We just met, but we were still always calling each other’s names and looking up and seeing where everyone was. Having that connection let us know when to pass and how to perfect our timing. I am glad that a lot of the girls from other teams fit in really quickly with that,” Arce said.
In the final quarter of the game, white’s defense continues to shine as one of their players seals the open space by effortlessly blocking a swift slapshot point-blank. However, white’s defense becomes overwhelmed late in the quarter and lets up one last score from the blue team. The loss does little to weigh down the spirits of those on the white team, with many of the athletes choosing to value the friendships that they made over the challenges that they faced.
“This game was really fun because it was interesting to get to learn from people from other teams that we usually see as competitors. It’s so much fun to share our connection with the sport that all of us love,” Arce said.
