By Betty Kaldas
On Friday, Sept. 18, Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) Barons field hockey team faced the Chaparral High School (CHS) Pumas in an exciting season-opening game that ended in a 3-1 victory for the Barons. Powerful hits, quick reflexes and coordinated plays all contributed to the Baron’s win.
The game easily stayed in the Barons favor as a goal was scored within the first four minutes of the half and players fought to keep the ball on the opposing teams side. Critical opening plays made by senior Madison Tran and junior Liliana Bess set up the field for the first goal scored by the Barons.
Following multiple quick passes and a couple fouls called on both teams, senior Kaile Hathaway broke through the barrage of defense and scored the Barons first goal, winding up a powerful drive that launched the ball into the back of the Puma’s net and tipped the score to 1-0 at just four minutes into the first quarter. The Barons didn’t rest after scoring, however, as Madison Tran took off with the ball, passing it to Hathaway, who ran it up to the opponent’s side in an attempt to score a second goal. The ball was intercepted by the opposing team, however, in a pass made by Hathaway and meant for junior Iris Le.
A 16-yard hit out granted the Baron’s the opportunity to score on the Pumas, but as numerous players clustered around the goal, the ball was lost among the players fighting for possession and was ultimately passed to the opposing team due to a foul on the Barons.
After multiple defensive attempts to maintain the ball’s position on the Baron’s side of the field, Chaparral players made strong plays that scored them their first goal with just a minute left in the first quarter, bringing the score to an even 1-1. The Barons didn’t let this stand, however, as Rogers assisted senior Ellie Tran in the Baron’s second goal just 20 seconds after Chaparral’s. At halftime, the score remained 2-1.
The third quarter began with increased energy and spirit as players were cheered on by the crowd in the stands. Bess used powerful drives to run the ball up the sideline to Rogers, who attempted a goal but unfortunately lost the ball in a battle with the opposing team’s defender. Passed up to the other team, the ball remained at the 50 as senior Kathlyn Tran used tactical moves in order to get around her opponent and pass the ball back up to sophomore Sharon Perez, who quickly received the ball and spun to pass it to Hathaway.
The ball stayed in the Baron’s possession as offense looked for an opening to shoot and score. The ball mostly remained on the opponent’s side, with Kathlyn Tran and junior Rylee Nguyen staying ready to defend and send the ball up for another goal attempt. The Baron’s fought hard and managed to keep the score at 2-1 by the end of the third quarter.
The Baron’s remained in the lead for the fourth quarter as valuable defensive players Kathlyn Tran, Nguyen and senior Melanie Valladolid worked to ensure that the Pumas didn’t advance and catch up to the Barons. During the final two minutes of the game, Rogers stood by the post and received a strong drive by Hathaway, swiftly sweeping in the ball for the Barons third goal of the game.
With the exciting win for the first game, the Barons look forward to the rest of their season as they play Temecula Valley High School at home at 3:30 p.m.
