Hollister High boys soccer coach Michael Warner’s cell phone was
still warm when Live Oak stunned the Balers with a remarkable goal
just two minutes in to Tuesday’s match at Andy Hardin Field.
Hollister High boys soccer coach Michael Warner’s cell phone was still warm when Live Oak stunned the Balers with a remarkable goal just two minutes in to Tuesday’s match at Andy Hardin Field.
Warner, who along with his Baler players thought the match was supposed to start at 5:30 p.m., frenetically tried to assemble his team for the 3:30 p.m. starting time.
Most of the starting 11 was on the pitch and almost all were present for enough of the match to defeat the well-drilled Acorns.
It didn’t happen. Live Oak, relying on a shockingly quick goal and a strong all-around second half, felled the Balers 3-1 in the inaugrural Tri-County Athletic League match for both teams.
The Balers (3-1-1, 0-1) played without midfielder Jorge Lopez, which didn’t help, according to Warner. Plus, starting midfielder Pablo Andrade didn’t arrive on time, either, and played about half the match.
“That hurt, not having Lopez,” said Warner, who stuck around after the match to greet Baler parents who arrived for the 5:30 p.m. starting time. “That’s where the match was won, in the midfield. Live Oak’s midfield did a great job.”
The Acorns (7-1-4) jolted the still-groggy Balers on an incredible throw-in by defender Andrew Cunningham, who heaved a ball about 40 yards from the right sideline all the way past and in front of Baler goalie Jorge Medina. Sergio Avila, the Acorns’ leading scorer, was in the right place and headed the ball into goal with a quick dive.
The Balers actually settled down and played some good soccer the final 38 minutes of the first half. They ended up outshooting the Acorns 10-7 in the first 40 minutes and 20-14 for the match.
“Hollister outplayed us in that first half,” said Acorns coach Tony Goble, in his fourth year. “They’re a good, physical team. They’re more physical than us.”
The Balers, spurred defensively by Ivan Rojas’ fine play, had some serious chances late in the first half as the pace picked up. Victor Rosales, who had just checked into the match, took a run from the right side and left-footed one high over the Acorns post. Isidro Trujillo had a couple of good looks on the left side, but couldn’t finish.
One of the best Baler opportunities came on a long attemp from Mario Zarogoza. But Acorns goalie Nick Rauschnot made a last-second jump save to punch the ball over the post.
The play, which had become more physical as the first half waned, continued to be physical and testy in the second half. Ernesto Lostanau played a ball while on the ground, which annoyed the Acorns Cesar Serrano. As Lostanau got up with the ball in his control, Serrano grabbed his jersey and thus earned a yellow card – one of five yellows given to Acorn players against none for Hollister. The Acorns’ Trevor Kozacek received a double-yellow late in the match.
Not long afterward, Brian Vargas created enough space to let go with a shot from about 15 yards out. The ball caromed off an Acorns defender to the right of Rauschnot. John Hansen alertly punched the ball into goal and the Balers had tied the match 1-1 in the 60th minute.
They didn’t have much time to enjoy it.
Seconds after Warner inserted three of his starters back into action, the Acorns were going the other way. The ball ended up 17 yards in front of Medina and the Acorns Anthony Razouk booted it towards goal. The ball eventually bounced off Baler defender Alfredo Arredondo and by Medina.
Whatever momentum the Balers had with Hansen’s goal was short-lived. 2-1 Acorns.
“It was a letdown on their part,” said Goble.
“We had players playing out of position,” said Warner. “Give Live Oak credit for coming back.”
The Acorns kept the pressure up and it paid off when Silva was dragged down in the box. Serrano rolled the P.K. to Medina’s right. Game, set and match at minute 67.
“We came out harder in that second half,” said Serrano, who handled all the set plays for the Acorns, with the exception of the throw-ins. “Once we got that second goal we had to play secure soccer and keep the ball to the foot.”
For many Balers, they didn’t feel they gave it their best shot.
“We can play better,” said Medina. “We didn’t play our game.”
“We didn’t communicate,” said Zaragoza. “On offense and defense.”
The Balers don’t have time to mope around much. They play at Gilroy today at 3:30 p.m. The Mustangs, along with Live Oak, Hollister and probably North Salinas, are the four teams contending for the six-team TCAL crown.
“It’s a must win for us today,” said Warner.
They all are now for the Balers, who, judging by the Acorns performance Tuesday, can’t afford to stumble anymore if they are to take the T-CAL.
Baler bits: Warner claimed he was told Monday night that the match was to be played at 5:30 p.m. A call from the Free Lance office to Hollister Athletic Director Dave Tari uncovered a conflict. The Free Lance immediately informed Warner, who made the hurried adjustment or else the Balers would have forfeited. – Rauschnot made five saves, all in the first half. Medina had three in each half. – The Balers have another crack at the Acorns, so to speak, when they play in Morgan Hill Jan. 28.
JV score:Hollister 3, Live Oak 3. Jaime Torres had two goals for the Balers (2-0-2), while Jesus Ramos added one.
