Through nearly 80 minutes, the San Benito boys soccer team couldn’t take advantage of its limited opportunities against league foe North Salinas.
But in the final minute, trailing 1-0 to the Vikings, the Balers got the only opportunity they needed.
But after an arrant Viking hand ball in the keeper’s box set up a penalty kick for captain Andres Corona, the Balers tied the score at 1-1 as the final seconds ticked off the clock. Corona beat the North Salinas keeper to his right to break the Balers two game-losing streak.
Despite controlling possession for the majority of the game, San Benito had to fight off a Viking goal with only seven minutes left in regulation.
In the final moments, San Benito put constant pressure on the Vikings but could never take advantage until the North Salinas mistake.
It was a welcomed change for head coach Tony Deras, he said.
“It was good to see them come back,” he said. “So far when we get down, we haven’t been able to come back.”
The tie gives San Benito a 3-2-1 record heading into a nearly a month long bye because of school break. The Balers don’t return to the field until Jan. 8 when they travel to Gilroy to face Christopher High.
In the meantime, Deras hopes the Balers continue to show improvement with such a young roster.
“We are still learning,” he said.
Corona, who scored his first goal of the season Thursday, echoed his coach’s belief.
“It was a good game, but we still have a lot to work on,” he said. “We need to communicate better and play together.”
The Balers opened the season with three consecutive wins – beating Yerba Buena, Aptos and King City – until they were outscored 14-0 in losses to Alisal and Mountain View.
