Gilroy’s top threat leaves game, San Benito takes advantage en
route to 15-8 victory
GILROY
Down by just one at the half, the Gilroy High girls varsity water polo team had San Benito right where it wanted them.
Or so it seemed.
The Mustangs’ top offensive threat in Chelsea Hill, who had four of the team’s six goals in the opening half, did not return to action in the second and GHS wasn’t the same as the Lady Balers rattled off eight second-half goals for the 15-8 win on Thursday.
“She does play a big role on the team, but she isn’t the only factor,” GHS coach Sean LaGuardia said. “We were just out of sync. Quite honestly, they just outplayed us today.”
Hill put the Mustangs on the board in a low-scoring first period with nine seconds to go. Baler goalie Katie Thorpe made things tough on the Mustangs in the opening period, turning away six shots.
With San Benito up 3-1, Hill went on a tear less than a minute into the second period, scoring three straight goals, two of which came after she forced turnovers.
The Mustangs, however, did not lead in the game again.
Michelle Shields poured in two goals late in the period to bring the Mustangs to within one, but before the wheels fell off in the second half.
“They were really physical,” Nicole Nelson said. “They had a lot of depth on that team and we weren’t as strong. But we will be.”
Taking advantage of some obvious defensive breakdowns, the Balers scored quickly and with ease when Demi Gatrell added four goals in the first four minutes of the third period.
“We are definitely a third- and fourth-quarter team,” San Benito head coach Hayley Vandercook said. “Once (Hill) went out, we didn’t have to worry much about their goals. We could just concentrate on our game.”
The Lady Balers (1-0 TCAL, 3-3) will host Salinas on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
