San Benito snaps five-game winless streak with easy victory
against North Salinas
HOLLISTER
After four straight games in which the San Benito boys soccer team lost by a single goal to Salinas, Gilroy, Palma and Alisal, the Haybalers finally lit up the scoreboard Tuesday with a four-goal shutout of visiting North Salinas, and snapped a five-game winless streak in the process.
Although the final score could have very well reached double digits – the ‘Balers had countless scoring opportunities, including several open shots on net – the 4-0 win was certainly satisfying for San Benito head coach Ramiro Ramos.
“We missed three right at the beginning that should have gone in,” Ramos said. “But I actually expected North Salinas to put up more of a fight.”
Despite their last-place standing in the Tri-County Athletic League, the Vikings were fresh off an impressive 3-1 victory over Salinas last Thursday.
On Tuesday, though, North High couldn’t develop much of an attack all game, and were held to just two shots on net.
“I really expected us to take more control of the game,” Ramos said. “We were losing a lot of balls and weren’t finishing like we’re supposed to be.”
Ramos did, however, move his defense to the front line in the second half, a move that led to two more scores for San Benito.
“It worked out,” Ramos said.
Ivan Martinez had a pair of assists in the win, which improves San Benito to 2-6-1 in the TCAL, 5-10-1 overall.
Martinez, a sophomore mid, set up the first score in the 12th minute when he delivered a through ball up the middle to a streaking Alex Castillo. From approximately 10 yards out, Castillo connected on the bouncing ball and put San Benito up 1-nil early.
In the 39th minute, just before halftime, the ‘Balers ensured themselves a two-goal lead at the break when Brian Cruz’ free kick from 25 yards out slipped into the right side of the net.
Martinez put the ‘Balers up 3-0 in the 66th minute when he received a throw-in on the left sideline, then easily beat his defender around the corner and dished off from the goal line to a wide-open Garrett Miller in front for the score.
One minute later, Sergio Lopez made it a four-goal game when he trapped a Carlos Ramirez cross pass with his chest and quickly deposited the goal.
With wind being a factor, especially later in the game, Ramos said he would have liked to have seen his team keep the ball more on the ground and not in the air.
“I know we probably would have done more damage keeping it on the ground,” Ramos said.
But the 4-0 victory will most certainly suffice.
San Benito will look to continue the scoring trend on Thursday when they visit Everett Alvarez at 3:30 p.m.
TEAM 1 2 F
NS 0 0 0
SB 2 2 4
