The Cats knocked in seven goals on the way to a 7-0 win over the Cardinals in the second round of the early season tourney. Gatos had lost 2-0 to Aragon in the tournament opener for each club.

Sophomore Katie Bonadies knocked in three goals—two of them unassisted—to lead the Wildcats to the lopsided win over the Cards. Monica Rude supported with a pair of goals and Melissa Shawhan had a goal and two assists. Samantha Mason added a goal to round out the scoring and Carly Stavis had an assist.

The Wildcats had opened the season with a 3-0 non-league victory over Westmont. Bonadies, Shawhan and Ashley Dix each scored goals and Stavis and Brittany Shand had assists.

"We expect to score goals—a lot of them," said Nordmo. "And we expect to start that early in the season."

He'd get no argument from Mt. Pleasant on that score—or should we say seven scores!

Nordmo looks to Rude, a sophomore, and seniors Cheryl Parkman and Jessica Sansevere to lead the Los Gatos effort this winter.

Rude was the freshman of the year in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League a year ago and she was recently invited to take part in the state's Olympic Development Program.

"She will be a big impact player on the field for us this year," said Nordmo.

Parkman is a defender "expected to help lead the team," along with goalkeeper Sansevere. The two are co-captains for the Cats.

Dix, one of just seven seniors on the squad, is another player to watch, says the coach, along with juniors Ashley Benson, Morgan Branon and Corynn Carino.

"Last year was a learning experience," said the coach, who was referring to both the players and himself. "This year the girls are more familiar with the coach and those that have been playing club or Olympic Development have shown tremendous improvement."

The Wildcats played well enough a year ago to finish third in the De Anza Division after getting off to a slow start in the season. The Cats were young last year and it's a young team again this winter with four juniors, eight sophomores and two freshmen joining the seven seniors. But the coach "expects this youth will give the team a spark it needs to ignite a good season."

"We expect to finish in the top one or two [in league] and get a bid for CCS," said Nordmo.

The Wildcats will be on the field for two games this week. Los Gatos will host Fremont on Dec. 2, 3:30 p.m., and will visit Mountain View on Dec. 4, 4:30 p.m. The De Anza Division season will begin on Dec. 16 when the Cats visit Homestead.