The Gilroy High girls soccer team jumped out to a 5-0 halftime
advantage and didn’t look back in a 9-1 victory over San Benito on
Friday night in Gilroy.
GILROY
In a game that had all the precursors to a championship showdown, complete with rivalry, league title implications and bragging rights, it came as a surprise to some that it was over by halftime.
Clicking on all cylinders, the Gilroy High girls soccer team put on a scoring clinic en route to a 9-1 triumph over rival San Benito, clinching its fourth straight Tri-County Athletic League championship Friday night in Gilroy.
A relentless attack led to a 5-0 halftime advantage for the Mustangs over a shell-shocked Balers squad, who came into the day with aspirations of a TCAL title.
The two teams entered the contest separated by one game in the TCAL standings. If the Balers (12-5-2, 10-2 TCAL) had pulled out a win, the league title would have been shared.
“We were flat,” San Benito head coach Ben Alvarez said. “We did our best and our best wasn’t good enough. You can’t take it away from them. They are a good team.”
Friday’s victory wrapped up an undefeated league campaign for the Mustangs (14-4-2, 12-0 TCAL), who outscored league opponents by a 62-3 margin in those 12 games.
“This is what happens when we come fully prepared,” GHS head coach Jose Hernandez said. “They were all feeling a little nervous, but nervousness is good because it means we are not taking it for granted. We’ve worked hard and know what it takes.”
Alex Maldonado tallied three goals, Erin Slattery pocketed two goals and Taylor Slattery, Katelyn Nebesnick, Indra Garcia and Breanna Rose had one goal apiece to cap the Mustangs’ scoring barrage.
“I didn’t expect to get nine goals but I’m really proud of our team,” said Maldonado, who finished the regular season with 12 goals.
Berniece Bribiesca scored the lone goal for the Balers late in the second half.
“We were not supposed to play that much defense,” Alvarez said. “They know how to use the field very well.”
Both teams will begin their respective postseason this week. The Lady Balers, earning the No. 10 seed, will begin play on Wednesday night against No. 7 Leland (11-8-1) in San Jose.
Alvarez said the Chargers like to play keep-away in the middle of the field, and using a 4-4-2 formation, could send long passes to the front line.
It is the first time since 2008 the Lady Balers have qualified to the postseason.
“I’m excited for the kids,” Alvarez said on Monday.
“Hopefully mentally the girls will be a little more ready than they were against Gilroy.”
Sports editor Andrew Matheson contributed to this story.
