LJ FH: Combs Warford on win

The Vikings' Royce Jepperson (right) works hard
to advance the ball in the first half
against visiting Rancho Bernardo.
(Photos by Ed Piper)

By Ed Piper

"I think we're going to have a really good season," said Amanda Combs Warford, head coach of the La Jolla High field hockey team, before the Vikings' season opener at home against Rancho Bernardo Thurs., Aug. 29, on the stadium field.

That was Warford's way of saying things could be even better than last year, when La Jolla went into the CIF playoffs after a strong regular season, but fell short of the previous year's appearance in the title game.

Another comment Warford made was, with her new goalkeeper Claire Telford right there changing gear on the sidelines, "Claire will be one of the top five goalkeepers in the county." The seasoned coach doesn't make idle claims, so this was noteworthy. Telford, a junior, humble and gracious, was a little surprised at Warford's comment, but she thanked her and went back out to the field.

Meanwhile, La Jolla did the things it needed to do to win against a visiting Rancho Bernardo team that played the Vikings even, 0-0, through two halves. This was not a replay of the previous week's scrimmage against San Dieguito Academy, when forward Haley Mossmer scored two early goals and three players in all scored a pair of goals each. La Jolla led 5-0 at halftime in that one.

Newly-named captains Caeley Hickson
Long (left) and Serene Liu, both seniors,
before the opener.

No, the Broncos, in fact, had the upper hand in the opening moments of the contest. La Jolla looked a little tentative. Later in the first half, the Vikings regained their balance and kept the ball in the attacking zone for much of the time, repeatedly being awarded corner shots and putting the pressure on RB's defense.

Finally, Mossmer scored the only goal of the game five minutes into overtime. "Not our best game," said Warford. "First-game nerves, for sure."

The Vikings had 17 short corners and 29 shots on goal, "but (we) couldn't put it in the net," said the coach, grateful for the win.