This Week in Athletics: Stories of Strength to Start the New Year
January 24, 2025
As students returned from their long and restful holiday break, the Cate athletics teams hit the ground running, ready to face the challenges of a new year of competition. With a mix of hard-fought battles, standout performances, and key moments of growth, the week showcased the resilience and determination of our student-athletes. From dominant wins to nail-biting finishes, every team demonstrated their drive to succeed and their commitment to improvement as the season unfolds.
Cate Girls Varsity Soccer
Resilience, Growth, and Milestones on the Field
Kicking off the new year, the Cate girls varsity soccer team demonstrated resilience and growth in a week filled with challenges and highlights. The team celebrated a historic 4-0 victory over Bishop Diego on the new Meldman Field, with goals from Nika Iverson ’26, Claire Bianchi ’26, Precious Adjei ’27, and Amelia Tann ’27, showcasing their strong passing game and defensive coordination. Later in the week, Cate battled hard in a narrow 0-1 loss to Foothill Tech, where Val Madriz Montero’s ’25 stellar goalkeeping and the defensive grit of Zyla Dhillon ’25 and Zoë Flint ’25 kept the team competitive despite a shorthanded roster. Closing out the week, Cate faced a tough 0-3 defeat against league leaders Thacher, with Jeeyou Jung ’25 making an incredible 15 saves, including a penalty kick, while Precious Adjei and the back line held their ground against a formidable attack. With an overall record of 2-5, Cate looks to bounce back in their next two away games against Orcutt Academy on January 25th and Grace Brethren on January 28th. Go Ewenited!
Cate Boys Varsity Soccer
Undefeated and Playoff-Ready
The Cate boys varsity soccer team continues to dominate with an overall record of 12-0, demonstrating their depth, balance, and relentless offensive firepower in three impressive victories this week. After an 8-0 home win over Thacher and a commanding 10-2 triumph against Bishop Diego, the Rams secured a 7-2 road victory at Dunn, led by standout performances from George Marin ’26, who notched three more hat tricks, bringing his season total to seven. With just two regular-season games remaining—Thacher on January 30 and Dunn on February 1—the Rams are focused on securing their second consecutive Tri-Valley League title and entering the playoffs at full strength.
Cate Boys Varsity Basketball
Resilience, Redemption, and Rising Momentum
The Cate boys varsity basketball team, now holding an overall record of 8-6, showcased grit and determination during an
eventful stretch of games, bringing their league record to 4-2. After a tough return from a three-week break with a loss to St. Bonaventure, the Rams rebounded with back-to-back wins. They secured a hard-fought 56-51 victory over Dunn, highlighted by stellar defense and standout performances from Josh Butler ’26 and Jackson Steele ’27, and followed it up with a gritty 39-37 win over Santa Clara, fueled by dominant rebounding and composure in the clutch. The week culminated in a dramatic 58-56 redemption win over Bishop Diego, thanks to a buzzer-beater from Marcus Scudder ’25. The Rams’ resilience and teamwork shined, and they look to carry this momentum into Friday’s (1/24) matchup at Villanova at 7:00 PM.
Cate Girls Varsity Basketball
Resilience, Growth, and a Shot at Revenge
The Cate girls varsity basketball team, now 3-8 overall, displayed both resilience and growth in a challenging week of games. After a tough loss to Thacher and a close defeat against Bishop Diego, the Rams earned a hard-fought 40-31 victory over Carpinteria, showcasing intense defense and balanced scoring. Sam Jimenez ’25 led the team with standout performances throughout the week, supported by key contributions from teammates like Sophia Ospina ’25 and Josie Song ’28. Looking ahead, the Rams are eager for revenge after a crushing home loss to Foothill Tech earlier this season. They will face them again on Friday night, January 23, at 8:00 PM, with determination to turn the tables.
Cate Girls Varsity Water Polo
Building Momentum for the Final Stretch
With only two regular season games remaining—Malibu on Friday, January 24, at 3:15 PM, and Villanova Prep on Tuesday, January 25, at 3:45 PM—the Cate girls varsity water polo team is focused on finishing strong. Despite a tough start after winter break, the team has shown resilience, highlighted by a 13-7 victory over Villanova, where senior captain Ani Van Lynde led the way with five goals. Contributions from key players like Daisy Gemberling ’25 in goal and Maddie Kollock ’27 on the counterattack reflect the team’s growth and readiness as they prepare for the season’s final challenges.
This month marked a strong start to the new year for Cate Athletics, with thrilling victories, lessons learned, and signs of great potential across all teams. As we move forward, the focus remains on growth, teamwork, and building momentum for the rest of the season. With more exciting matchups on the horizon, the Rams are ready to keep pushing, learning, and competing at their best. Go Rams!