The San Benito boys soccer team started off its league schedule
with three strong games. But it was all downhill from there.
The Haybaler varsity squad had to forfeit its final game of the
season against Palma today after the benches-clearing brawl that
occurred during the game against Salinas last Thursday.
Salinas had to forfeit its final game as well. Although there
were a couple JV players involved, the Baler JV team is still
scheduled to play today at Palma. It was unclear at press time
whether the Salinas JV team would have to forfeit as well.
The San Benito boys soccer team started off its league schedule with three strong games. But it was all downhill from there.
The Haybaler varsity squad had to forfeit its final game of the season against Palma today after the benches-clearing brawl that occurred during the game against Salinas last Thursday.
Salinas had to forfeit its final game as well. Although there were a couple JV players involved, the Baler JV team is still scheduled to play today at Palma. It was unclear at press time whether the Salinas JV team would have to forfeit as well.
“The danger with a game like that where both teams are in last place and don’t have a chance to make the playoffs is tempers can get out hand,” said San Benito Athletic Director Randy Logue. “It is basically a game of pride.”
The Balers were up 4-0 before Salinas scored on a penalty kick with about a minute to go. The player who kicked it came toward Baler goalie Jorge Medina in celebration of the goal and then veered off in a taunting manner. Words were exchanged and Martin Medina, Jorge’s brother, got into the fray as well.
Before anyone knew what was happening, the benches cleared as players and fans rushed onto the field, and the police were called. When order was restored, the referees wanted the game to resume, but school officials wouldn’t allow it.
“What we’re really concerned about is not receiving an incident report from the official’s association,” Logue said. “We don’t know if they officially red carded anyone because of how many people were involved. The rules are clear – if a person comes on the field in a fight then he is suspended for the next game.”
It doesn’t matter who started the fight, it shouldn’t have gone further than the two players involved, Logue said.
“It just not appropriate,” Logue said. “That is not what high school sports is for. It is not what we are trying to teach the kids, and I am sure it is not what Salinas is trying to teach them either. It doesn’t send a good message to the kids if we let them play this week.”
Altercations in soccer are becoming more common and it is becoming tougher for the officials to maintain order, Logue said. But he said tighter games are something needed to prevent future incidents.
“They should have yellow carded or red carded a few players to make sure the game didn’t get out of hand,” Logue said.
“All we can ask for is consistency game after game,” said Baler coach Michael Warner.
The Balers practiced Monday, and Warner said the team will practice Wednesday in an informal scrimmage with the JV team.
The awards banquet will be Friday.
“It leaves a bad taste in our mouth,” Warner said. “But it (the forfeit) is the right decision. We can’t condone fighting in any fashion.”
The Balers tied Live Oak, 0-0, in the Tri-County Athletic League opener and then lost 3-2 to Gilroy, one of the top ranked teams in the area. In the third league game, San Benito defeated North Salinas, 6-0.
“It’s really unfortunate for the boys team because they were about five goals away from being 7-1,” Logue said. “They just could never catch a break in some of those tight games. I think some of the frustration may have boiled over for the guys.”
With the forfeit, the Balers finish their season at 5-11-2 overall and 2-7-1 in league.
“We were in every game,” Warner said. “We had our chances, and that is all you can ask. The guys felt good about the win, and some of them are already talking about coming back next year and helping.”
