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Published on 06/08/1998 All articles from this issue

Klein heading to national with state field hockey team

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By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

Although soccer and field hockey are vastly different sports, Kathleen Klein has found it takes similar skills to play goalkeeper in both games.

"The basic instincts are the same," said Klein, a Los Altos resident. "You have to move quickly when the ball comes."

Reaction time has never been much of a problem for Klein, who just completed her junior year at Homestead High. She grew up playing soccer and developed into a standout goalie.

But it turns out she's even better with a stick in her hand.

Klein decided to give field hockey a try two years ago. Today she's considered one of the top high school goalies in the state.

Klein last month earned a spot on the Under-19 California Regional Field Hockey Team. One hundred players were invited to the tryouts May 31 in Chula Vista, and Klein was one of 14 to make the cut. The state squad will compete against teams from 15 other regions at the National Futures Tournament July 2-6 in College Park, Md.

There will be a lot on the line at the national tournament. The teams will be competing for the coveted gold medal and the players will be vying for scholarships. College coaches from across the country are expected to be at the tourney, scouting for potential recruits.

Klein should draw interest from several of these coaches, according to California head coach Tina Syer.

"She should definitely play in college," Syer said. "She's extremely consistent, very focused and a wonderful natural athlete."

This athletic ability has helped Klein make the transition from soccer to field hockey look easy. She said the biggest adjustment has been dealing with the size and speed of the field hockey ball.

"The ball is a lot smaller and it moves much faster," Klein said.

And being a field hockey goalie can be more hazardous to one's health.

"You wear pads to avoid injury, but I've still had some severe bruises," Klein said. "I've also had tendonitis in my hip from doing the splits so much. But it's all part of the sport, and I don't mind because I love playing."

Klein fell in love with the game her sophomore year. Friends encouraged her to try out for the Homestead team, and she soon found herself as the junior varsity's starting goalie. Klein was named to the all-league team at season's end.

This past season Klein moved up to the varsity squad, but she didn't spend her time in goal. Klein elected to play in the field as a courtesy to senior goalie Laurie Wilson.

"I learned a lot of the basics from her," Klein said, "and I didn't want to challenge her for the job."

Trying a new position has worked to Klein's advantage, though.

"It's helped give me a better understanding as a goalkeeper," she said. "It's made it easier for me to direct the players in back."

Syer, who also coached Klein in the Futures Olympic Development Program this year, is impressed with the way her goalie takes charge.

"A goalkeeper has to orchestrate what goes on," Syer said. "Kathleen is great at seeing the field and communicating with her teammates."