San Benito ties Salinas 1-1 Tuesday, will wrap up regular season
Thursday at Gilroy
HOLLISTER
Steven Mercado’s goal in the 10th minute was nearly enough for the San Benito boys soccer team on Tuesday, but visiting Salinas knotted the game at 1-1 in the 65th minute to force a tie.
The ‘Balers, which lost to Salinas 1-0 earlier this season, are now 2-7-2 in the Tri-County Athletic League, 5-11-2 overall.
Mercado’s goal early on was off a left-side cross from Brian Cruz, San Benito head coach Ramiro Ramos said. The sophomore mid trapped the ball with his chest and tapped it into the net, taking advantage of Salinas’ keeper who was playing out of position.
The scoring opportunity was one of many for San Benito, however. In fact, Ramos said the game should have been 4-0 after Mercado’s score.
“We had three chances before the first goal,” he said. “They were 95 percent in. It’s just our luck, I guess.
“But all we had to do was tap it in.”
The ‘Balers dominated the remainder of the first half, although the Cowboys began to take control in the second stanza, eventually netting the equalizer in the 65th minute.
“They kept coming back stronger and more physical,” Ramos said.
Not wanting to suffer another loss, Ramos moved into a defensive 4-4-2 formation in order to prevent Salinas from tacking on the go-ahead goal.
With the tie, the Cowboys finish their season at 3-7-2 in the TCAL, 4-13-3 overall.
San Benito will wrap up its season on Thursday when it visits the Garcia-Elder Sports Complex in Gilroy to take on the Mustangs.
Match time is 3:30 p.m.
TEAM 1 2 F
SAL 0 1 1
SAN 1 0 1
