By Pete Borello

courtesy of the Lytle family Erin Winner, right, is among the most improved players on the playoff-bound Los Altos High field hockey team, according to coach Gerri Baldwin. The Eagles went undefeated in league.

With eight days between its regular-season finale and playoff opener, the Los Altos High field hockey team’s biggest challenge this week may be getting through - and getting something out of - all those practices.

“Going more than a week without a game, practices can get boring,” said coach Gerri Baldwin, whose Eagles begin the Central Coast Section playoffs Saturday in the quarterfinals. “You need to find different things to do to keep them entertained.”

Beyond “more intense drills,” Baldwin said she was looking into “some funs things” for her girls, like an afternoon of laser tag. Anything to mix it up and keep their attention.

Los Altos can thank itself for the long layoff - the squad received a first-round bye as a reward for winning the Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division. The Eagles, who went 13-0-1 in the division, clinched the title two weeks ago.

Although the CCS seeding meeting wasn’t scheduled until Tuesday night, after the Town Crier went to press, the bylaws guarantee Los Altos (13-2-1 overall) the third seed for winning the Santa Teresa Division. The Eagles are scheduled to play at St. Francis High in the quarterfinals against the winner of Thursday’s game between the No. 6 and No. 11 seeds. Saturday’s winner returns to St. Francis Tuesday night for the semifinals.

Los Altos enters CCS on a five-game winning streak. The Eagles concluded league play with a pair of victories last week: 2-0 over visiting Cupertino Oct. 31 and 2-1 at Presentation Thursday.

Los Altos beat Cupertino on goals by Shryi Vyas and Molly McShane, who were assisted by Sarah Nolet and Perrine Schaller, respectively. McShane also scored against Presentation, assisted by Schaller, who went on to notch the game-winning goal with five minutes remaining. Nolet was credited with the assist.

Other than experience (11 seniors), Los Altos’ biggest strength may be its balanced scoring attack. The Eagles don’t have a go-to player - they have several of them. Baldwin said 12 girls have scored goals this season. McShane leads Los Altos with eight goals in league, Vyas has six and Sarah Lytle has one goal and a team-high six assists.

“They’re all contributing,” Baldwin said of her Eagles. “Every single player has stepped up.”

As for her most improved players, the coach listed Erin Winner, Laura Weiden and Chelsea Satterwhite. “They’ve really picked it up,” Baldwin said.

One of the most athletic teams she’s had in her 13 years as coach, Baldwin said Los Altos’ confidence has grown considerably since the season began. The teamwork has improved as well.

Now, it’s about sustaining what the Eagles have built - for at least another week.

“I just want them to stay focused and keep them energized,” Baldwin said.

Lancers also make CCS

By finishing second in the BVAL Mount Hamilton Division, the strongest league in CCS, St. Francis (12-1-3) is locked into the No. 2 seed and moves directly to the quarterfinals.

The Lancers are set to play at home Saturday against the winner of Thursday’s game between the No. 7 and No. 10 seeds.