After San Benito grabs 1-0 lead in 72nd minute, Eagles score
game-tying goal in 79th minute on Tuesday
HOLLISTER
If Tuesday’s San Benito-Everett Alvarez game had ended in a scoreless tie, a score that was true for the first 72 minutes of play, the Haybalers may have felt better off.
But after taking the lead with just eight minutes left in the contest, only to see the visiting Eagles tie it at 1-all in the 79th minute, well, that was a little bit harder to swallow.
“It looks like, they felt they lost,” San Benito head coach Ramiro Ramos said. “It was unlucky. They were bummed about it.”
The Eagles, to their credit, took 12 more shots on net than the Haybalers did in the 1-1 game, which now places San Benito at 1-2-1 in the Tri-County Athletic League.
In fact, Tuesday’s game had shades of last season’s 1-0 loss to Gilroy, when the visiting Mustangs took shot after shot after shot, only to see San Benito turn away each and every attempt.
But in the 77th minute, Gilroy finally found the go-ahead score, leaving the ‘Balers exhausted and dejected.
Tuesday’s match versus Alvarez had a similar feel, as the Eagles took 20 shots on net to San Benito’s eight. Strong performances by ‘Baler keeper Christian Maravilla, as well as a point-blank slide tackle from midfielder Celestino Granados that easily saved a score, kept San Benito afloat and the game scoreless.
But Luis Gonzalez’ rocket into the top right corner from approximately 30 yards out put San Benito up late in the 72nd minute, and supplied the team with a sense of hope after the Eagles controlled much of the match.
“I think towards the end, [Alvarez] got tired,” Ramos said.
Just seven minutes later, though, Alvarez’ Diego Ambriz tied it off a free kick inside the Haybaler box in the final minute of regulation. The ball ricocheted off the inner left post and bounced out, but referees called it a score, and in the 79th minute, no less.
“I think they’ve played a lot better in the last few games,” Ramos said. “A little bit more going after the ball and winning it.”
Ramos would like to see his team bring the same intensity and presence to each and every game, right at the whistle, instead of playing somewhat reactionary.
The head coach noticed that when San Benito scored in the 72nd minute, the whole attitude of his team changed. They were more aggressive and played with a renewed sense of urgency.
“That’s how they should have started,” Ramos said. “I know they can do it, but it takes something for them to get to that point.”
“It takes something to assimilate the whole team. But we’ve got to set the mood, set the tone of the game.”
San Benito will return Thursday at Salinas. Kick-off is at 5 p.m.
TEAM 1 2 F
EA 0 1 1
SB 0 1 1
