News Detail
SMES defeats Sage
Last Friday night the Lightning played a memorable game against St. Margaret’s in San Juan Capistrano. The game was remarkable not because it was the best game Sage Hill has ever played-- nor because we pulled a victory-- but because of the over 100 enthusiastic fans who made the long drive to San Juan Capistrano and endured the pouring rain to cheer for our squad. We’ve never seen this many supporters before. Dozens and dozens of students, faculty/staff, parents, many friends, and even parents of alumni (such as the Whitakers and the Smith-Newmans) joined us to watch the game.
After maintaining the lead in the Academy League for a long time, we slipped into second place due to the 0-2 loss. The game started with lots of excitement from both sides. Co-captain Nick Singarella took a great shot early in the game, followed by a cross from Colton Gyulay that Taylor Ross couldn’t get to, near the far post. Pretty early in the game in minute 18, the opponent blasted a ball past Jake Blitzer. Lack of friction due to slippery weather conditions didn’t help Jake control that terrific shot. Because we haven’t lost a game ever except the one on December 3rd, we didn’t know how to play from behind. Frustration was apparent on the boys’ faces. We began rushing and giving away too many 50-50 balls. There is a difference between playing fast and playing rushed. Sometimes, we pushed the ball forward too fast and without proper support. Other times we overcommitted and had to push back as a team to recollect the ball. The first half ended in a 0-1 score.
The opponent was committing their numbers and attacking through the center. Although our defense--led by Ben Capaldi and Max Ellison—was great, we decided to make a switch and use Player of the Game Ben Capaldi in the center to provide some support in the middle. This caused us to make more changes in the formation, which I think contributed to the loss of shape and balance.
All this said, we remained committed to changing the score results. One thing we coaches have absolutely admired in our squad since the early years is their ability to put up a fight the entire 80 minutes without ever losing hope. In minute 60, St. Margaret’s added their second goal from a close range. As the minutes passed by, the game got more intense, and the optimistic Sage Hill fans got louder and louder. We applied tremendous pressure at the end, but to no avail, unfortunately.
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After maintaining the lead in the Academy League for a long time, we slipped into second place due to the 0-2 loss. The game started with lots of excitement from both sides. Co-captain Nick Singarella took a great shot early in the game, followed by a cross from Colton Gyulay that Taylor Ross couldn’t get to, near the far post. Pretty early in the game in minute 18, the opponent blasted a ball past Jake Blitzer. Lack of friction due to slippery weather conditions didn’t help Jake control that terrific shot. Because we haven’t lost a game ever except the one on December 3rd, we didn’t know how to play from behind. Frustration was apparent on the boys’ faces. We began rushing and giving away too many 50-50 balls. There is a difference between playing fast and playing rushed. Sometimes, we pushed the ball forward too fast and without proper support. Other times we overcommitted and had to push back as a team to recollect the ball. The first half ended in a 0-1 score.
The opponent was committing their numbers and attacking through the center. Although our defense--led by Ben Capaldi and Max Ellison—was great, we decided to make a switch and use Player of the Game Ben Capaldi in the center to provide some support in the middle. This caused us to make more changes in the formation, which I think contributed to the loss of shape and balance.
All this said, we remained committed to changing the score results. One thing we coaches have absolutely admired in our squad since the early years is their ability to put up a fight the entire 80 minutes without ever losing hope. In minute 60, St. Margaret’s added their second goal from a close range. As the minutes passed by, the game got more intense, and the optimistic Sage Hill fans got louder and louder. We applied tremendous pressure at the end, but to no avail, unfortunately.
Sage Hill School
A college preparatory independent day school for grades 7-12.
20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92657
Phone: 949.219.0100 | Fax: 949.219.1399
20402 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast, CA 92657
Phone: 949.219.0100 | Fax: 949.219.1399
Sage Hill School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and athletic and other School administered programs.