The San Benito boys soccer team was less than two minutes away
from tying Live Oak Monday for the second time this season.
But instead the Haybalers suffered a 2-1 loss – their third loss
in a row by two goals or less.
The San Benito boys soccer team was less than two minutes away from tying Live Oak Monday for the second time this season.
But instead the Haybalers suffered a 2-1 loss – their third loss in a row by two goals or less.
Last time San Benito and Live Oak met, the teams battled to a 0-0 tie. The Balers (4-8-2, 1-4-1 TCAL) were moving the ball around consistently and dominating possession Monday after the Acorns dominated the first match.
“They played their normal good game,” said Baler coach Michael Warner. “They are a pressure offense. They have a lot of speed. With their guys out, we were able to make some adjustments and had an easier time.”
Live Oak (10-5-2, 3-1-2 TCAL) was missing three starters and one backup because of a missed practice.
“We dodged a bullet,” said Acorn coach Tony Goble. “They were ready to play, and we weren’t. I told the guys at halftime that we were getting our butts kicked even though it was 1-0 us.”
About 20 minutes into the game, the Balers had three straight shots that were almost impossible to stop. But Acorn goalie Nick Rauschnot knocked them out each time, forcing corner kicks before finally punching the ball out.
“Last time they sat back looking for the tie,” Goble said. “This time they played. I knew they could after looking at what they have done.”
Warner had Jorge Lopez and Jose Sanchez switching up moving the ball down field to generate some more offense. And it worked.
“We could hit either guy and then drive it out from there,” Warner said. “To open up the field more we were putting in some long balls to take advantage of some of our speed like that of Luis Vasquez.”
The Balers tied the score at 1-1 as the second half opened. Jorge Lopez knocked in a ball off a corner kick. The play was set up when Ernesto Lostanau was pushed. Alfredo Arredondo took the direct kick from the middle and just missed the top of the net after Acorn goal Nick Rauschnot knocked the ball away.
With under two minutes left to go in the game, A.J. Battel put in the winning goal on a rebound after a shuffle in front of the net. Baler goalie Jorge Medina had just made a nice save and wasn’t able to get back into position to stop the ball.
Battel, who was playing his second game this season after an injury, just missed a high shot minutes before.
“He was the difference for Live Oak,” Warner said. “At times, when we had them down, he would be energizing them as a leader and would be wanting the ball. You need a go-to guy like that who can make things work.”
Gilbert Bailon made a nice diving save as he slid into the goal to save a goal with about five minutes to go.
In the first half, Martin Medina prevented an Acorn corner kick as he slid into the corner and kicked the ball back into play.
The Acorns got on the board a minute before the half ended. Nick Mott played a ball through the center to Garrett Frechett along the right sideline.
Frechett took the ball past the Baler defender, who was looking for an offside call, and took a hard shot to the near side of the net. The ball bounced off Medina and into the net.
The Balers, after starting the season on an upswing, have had no trouble creating quality chances but can’t find the net.
“We had our chances, but we just couldn’t finish and put the game away,” Warner said. “It is a senior team that is mature and can overcome difficulties. We just can’t seem to get that extra goal.”
The Balers will play at Gilroy on Saturday at 10 a.m.
