If Hollister High is to win the inaugural Tri-County Athletic
League girls soccer crown, it will have to do it without stellar
stopper Amy Baxter.
If Hollister High is to win the inaugural Tri-County Athletic League girls soccer crown, it will have to do it without stellar stopper Amy Baxter.
Baxter, a First Team All-Monterey Bay League selection a year ago, is in all probability out for the season after having surgery on her right knee for a torn miniscus on Dec. 31.
Baxter, a junior, was first injured during the Burlingame Tournament, then aggravated the injury about three weeks ago at practice.
“I knew when I went down at practice that it was hurt,” said Baxter, who is also an outstanding softball player. “I was just hoping it wasn’t too serious. I was hoping for the best and hoping it wasn’t a ligament tear.”
There is a slight possibility that Baxter could return for any Central Coast Section playoff action. She is seeing her physician today and will be informed of the length of rehabilitation.
“It’s going to hurt not having Amy,” said Baler head coach Michael Schurig. “We’ll have to adjust.”
Schurig, whose Balers (7-3-1) start the T-CAL season this Thursday at Live Oak (1-3-1), moved senior Lorena Villagomez to Baxter’s stopper position. Brianna Griffith is at sweeper, while Jill Merrigan and Becky Bonner are the two defenders. Mary Von Urff is the starter in goal.
The rest of the Balers starting lineup has high-scoring forwards Jennifer Vandenberg and Jenny Maheu, supported by midfielders Ali Schmidt, Chantelle Guajardo, Vanessa Gowett and Julie Broyer.
“Our midfielders have been doing a great job of getting back on defense,” said Schurig. “They’ve been playing so well. The team is motivated and ready to play.”
Recent records show that the Balers haven’t had much success against the Acorns, who won a CCS Division I title in ’97 and were runner-up in 2000.
Live Oak usually has some skillful forwards and midfielders and have had their way vs. the Balers in past seasons. The jury is still out as to if the Balers have ever defeated Live Oak in either a league or non-league match.
“Some of the girls think that we’ve beaten Live Oak in the past sometime,” said Schurig. “I’m not sure.”
And Schurig, for one, isn’t going to be fooled by the Acorns’ less than impressive preseason record.
“We’re certainly not taking them lightly,” said Schurig. “We know they’re a strong team with strong players. I expect a tough, tight game. It could go down to the end.”
First boot is at 3:30 p.m.
