By Pete Borello

Coming off a season in which it won its first Central Coast Section championship, the St. Francis High field hockey team can’t help but think repeat.

“We talk about it a little,” head coach Kathy Lincoln admitted, “but we don’t look past our next game.”

Playing in the Mount Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League precludes the Lancers from getting too far ahead of themselves. The Mount Hamilton is regarded as the CCS’ most-competitive division, packed with playoff-caliber teams such as Los Gatos, Mitty, Lynbrook, Los Altos and Prospect.

“You have to be up for every game,” Lincoln said. “You can’t let up.”

Although Lincoln was less than thrilled with her team’s division-opening effort against Prospect on Sept. 20 - which ended in a 1-1 tie - she’s had little to complain about since.

The Lancers have strung together three wins in a row to remain undefeated. A 3-0 victory at Del Mar last week raised their record to 3-0-1 in the division and 7-0-1 overall.

This is a better start than last year - and St. Francis has done it with several new players in the lineup.

While the Lancers have 11 returning players, they lost all four team captains to graduation.

There’s no shortage of talent on this squad, though.

At the top of the list is junior Nicole Ng, whom Lincoln calls “one of the premier players in the section.” The forward/midfielder is a member of the under-16 national team.

“Nicole has great stick work,” the fifth-year coach said. “She gives us great ball control and pass distribution.”

Another returning player, forward/midfielder Lauren Haugh, leads the team in scoring. The senior is best known for her dramatic goal in the closing minutes of last November’s CCS title game, which lifted the Lancers to a 3-2 win over Los Gatos.

Also back in the starting lineup: seniors Tessa Kannall (midfielder/backline), Megan Ottoboni (forward/midfielder) and Brittany Follett (sweeper), plus junior Christina McGrath (backline).

Maggie Haley started the season in goal, but was recently sidelined by a knee injury. Fellow senior Jen Bow is playing in her stead and “she’s done a great job,” Lincoln said.

In addition, the Lancers are getting a boost from sophomores Katie Quaglia (forward/midfielder) and Kelsey Enquist (backline/sweeper).

“They’re playing phenomenally,” the coach said. “They’ve really stepped up.”

Lincoln also has been pleasantly surprised by the team’s defense and marvels at how well the Lancers understand the game.

“I think this team is really good at responding to what it needs to do on the field,” she said. “The on-field coaching and adjustments have been great.”

St. Francis visits Lynbrook today and hosts Mitty on Friday. Both games are slated to start at 3 p.m.