‘Balers fall to North Salinas, drop out of first place in TCAL
race
Salinas – In a game that proved to be the polar opposite from the first meeting, North Salinas’ Tannia Hernandez scored three goals and the Vikings knocked visiting San Benito out of first place with a 3-1 win in Tri-County Athletic League girls soccer play.
“It’s disappointing,” Haybalers coach Mike Schurig said. (North Salinas) definitely came out to win the game. They knew they had to get a good win.”
In the team’s first meeting, senior defender Carly Brigantino spearheaded a defensive effort that kept Hernandez – the area’s leading scorer – off the board as San Benito beat the Vikings 3-1 to hand the defending champs their first loss of the season.
But with Brigantino out for the season with a injury and North Salinas playing on its home turf, the ‘Balers (11-5-2 overall, 6-3-1, 19 points TCAL) couldn’t slow down Hernandez. She scored early goals in both halves and added another one late to propel the Vikings (10-4-3, 6-2-2, 20 points) back into first place.
“We played a little tougher knowing they were in first place,” North Salinas coach Luis Torrez said. “(San Benito) is a tough team.”
The ‘Balers tried focusing their attention on Hernandez, but it didn’t take long for her to break free. In the third minute, Lise Green fed Hernandez on the right side and she slammed in a goal for a 1-0 lead.
Late in the first half, San Benito finally answered when its own high-scorer got on the board. JC Clayton sent a pass to Rachael Jett, who tipped it over to freshman Sophie Coelho, the league’s second leading scorer.
Coelho had open field and dribbled in and beat the keeper for her 17th goal of the season.
But early in the second half Hernandez was at it again. She nearly scored in the 43rd minute but her shot went off the cross bar. Two minutes later she found the back of the net when the ‘Balers misplayed a ball and left Hernandez streaking alone toward the net and she powered the shot in.
Despite several close calls for San Benito, it couldn’t tie the game and Hernandez put it way in the 70th minute. Patricia Magdaleno nailed a corner kick that Laura Sanchez-Hernandez directed toward the net.
From the ground, Hernandez turned the shot toward the net and scored to wrap up the hat trick and seal the win.
While San Benito’s Central Coast Section playoff hopes remain strong, the loss put a severe damper on any possibilities of winning the TCAL title.
“Obviously, we would like to win league,” Schurig said. “A couple game could’ve gone a little differently and we could’ve locked that up better. Now, we’ll need to hope for some help.”
North Salinas wraps up its schedule when it plays Saturday at Gilroy and Thursday at home against Notre Dame.
If Gilroy (7-5-5, 4-1-4, 16 points), who tied Notre Dame 1-1 on Thursday, beats the Vikings on Saturday, it would put the Mustangs in a tie for second place with San Benito with two game remaining. Both teams would remain a point behind North Salinas.
“We’re not taking anybody lightly despite the fact we’re in first place now,” Torrez said of his Vikings. “Anybody can jump over us, including Gilroy. They’re within striking distance and that’s a constant reminder.”
