The San Benito boys water polo team had a tough assignment
Wednesday against visiting Live Oak in a 20-6 loss.
The Acorns, who were ranked No. 10 in the Central Coast Section
coming in to the game, consistently used their speed and counter
attacks to thwart the Balers game plan.
The San Benito boys water polo team had a tough assignment Wednesday against visiting Live Oak in a 20-6 loss.
The Acorns, who were ranked No. 10 in the Central Coast Section coming in to the game, consistently used their speed and counter attacks to thwart the Balers game plan.
“We’ve mixed up the offense to try to get some different things going,” said Baler coach Tom Agan. “I am not real unhappy with the loss. They did a good job against a stronger and more experienced team.”
San Benito goalie Nick Dain helped keep the damage minimal, gobbling up 13 saves in the game.
“He did an outstanding job,” Agan said. “The shots that got by him were the uncatchable ones.”
Joel Smith led the way for the Balers with three goals. Robbie Shattuck scored a pair of goals, and Lucas Zepeda also added a goal.
Live Oak coach Mack Haines said he was impressed with players like Zepeda, who consistently hustled throughout the game.
“I really like the way he played,” Haines said. “He did a very good job. There were several chances for him to give up, but he didn’t.”
The Acorns were leading 10-2 at the half before putting in the second stringers.
“We actually learned a lot from Hollister last year,” said Haines, whose team is perfect in the TCAL. “We learned to take every league game seriously. It kind of goes in cycles. Hollister had the veteran team last year, and we had young guys coming up. We are still young though.”
The Balers (9-15, 3-2 TCAL) face another tough opponent next Tuesday when Robert Louis Stevenson visits. San Benito will also compete in the Monte Vista Invitational before the TCAL finals begin.
JV Note: Live Oak pulled off a 12-10 win. With 3:22 left the game was tied, before the Acorns turned up the pressure.
Rory Block had four goals for the Balers. Blane Curtis and Josh Ward both had two goals. Jamie Ashford and Nick First added a goal each.
The game was tied in with 3:22 left in the game, but Live Oak pulled away.
“The guys played hard but came up short,” said coach John Agan. “We had a couple passing errors, and they capitalized on them.”
