By Leann Shea
Hollister – The San Benito girls soccer team crushed visiting Seaside 6-0 to post their first win of the season after tying Monte Vista Christian 2-2 in the season opener on Tuesday.
“As a team they played much better,” said the Haybalers head coach Mike Schurig. “We worked on some of the things we needed to work on like tighten up the defense and passing.”
The ‘Balers were in control from the beginning and dominated Seaside for most of the game. All of San Benito’s players got playing time and four different players scored in the game.
Rachel Mayhew got the scoring starting off an assist from Brittany Huth in the 25th minute of the first half. About 10 minutes later Mayhew passed to teammate Felicia Freitas who scored to give the ‘Balers a 2-0 lead at halftime.
San Benito fired 34 shots on goal in the game compared to just three shots all game by Seaside. “Our defense did a very good job shutting them down,” said Schurig.
The second half belonged to the ‘Balers as they started to break away. Ashlyn Gonzales scored off an assist from Freitas in the 60th minute, putting San Benito up 3-0.
Mayhew scored again in the 70th minute deflecting a Huth corner kick into the goal for the ‘Balers. Three minutes later Annie Ramirez followed her own shot that bounced off Seaside’s goalkeeper and scored, extending San Benito’s lead to 5-0.
With five minutes remaining in the second half Ramirez found the goal again scoring off a Mayhew pass on a ball that just cleared the Seaside goalkeeper’s hand, giving the ‘Balers the 6-0 win.
On Saturday San Benito will participate in a Tri County Athletic League jamboree held at Salinas. Then on Monday the ‘Balers host a very good Scotts Valley team.
“Scotts Valley will be a good indication of what we’re working on,” said Schurig.
