San Benito holds top-scoring team in TCAL scoreless through 70
minutes, but Alisal scores twice in closing minutes for 2-0 win
Hollister
Playing against one of the best teams in the Central Coast Section, the San Benito boys soccer team nearly eked out a point against visiting Alisal Tuesday, but the Trojans pocketed a pair of late scores for a 2-0 win.
The Haybalers strategized a defensive approach against Alisal, which defeated San Benito 4-2 on Jan. 17.
Looking to mark Alisal’s leading scorer in Tony Meza, the ‘Balers held the highest scoring team in the Tri-County Athletic League scoreless through more than 70 minutes of play.
But goals in the 73rd and 77th minute by the Trojans gave the Salinas squad enough of a cushion to keep their unbeaten streak intact.
Alisal improves to 9-0-2 in the TCAL, while the Haybalers fall to 4-7-0.
“I was very proud of those kids today,” coach Ben Alvarez said. “We decided that at the beginning of the game that we were gonna mark their best player … We shut them down in the first half.”
San Benito put a “spy” on Meza through the first half, and took a 0-0 tie to the break. Said Alvarez, “He’s the one who does all the damage … I told the kids, you’ve got to be his friend – anywhere he goes, you go. You’ve got to be there.”
Possibly noticing a San Benito defender on Meza, though, Alvarez said the Trojans changed their offensive formation in the second half and had Meza on the outside to possibly draw defenders away from the middle of the field.
In the 73rd minute, Meza found an opening, and scored what would be the game-winning goal.
“We left him open, and that’s all it took,” Alvarez said.
Alisal added another goal less than five minutes later to increase their lead to 2-nil. San Benito, which had six shots on net compared to Alisal’s 15, put “two great shots on goal” in the waning minutes of regulation, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
“But I’m very proud of these kids,” Alvarez added. “They played a tough game against a tough team. We showed that we can stay with the toughest.”
The San Benito coach said ‘Baler keeper Christian Maravilla made nine “outstanding” saves in net to keep the Hollister squad in the game.
“They could not penetrate him,” Alvarez said. “He stopped everything.”
San Benito, now 6-8-2 overall, will play their season finale at Salinas on Thursday. Kick-off is at 3:30 p.m.
Team 1 2 F
SB 0 0 0
ALI 0 2 2
