Both San Benito boys and girls teams record easy victories
Hollister – After falling in their league opener to Salinas earlier this month, the San Benito Haybalers got a much needed league win against Monterey Wednesday, controlling the game for a 12-1 win.
Jordan Schafer led the ‘Balers with five goals at the San Benito High School pool, and added an assist on a goal by Thomas Parcell.
Goalie Kyle Reuther, who was shutting Monterey out until Kyle Harvey found the net with just 2:22 left in the game, had eight saves on the day.
“It was very much needed,” Coach Tom Agan said of the win. “Reuther was solid in goal, and that’s not just blocking shots, that’s passing down the pool as well.”
San Benito took control of the game early, jumping out to a 6-0 lead after the end of one quarter, which included a goal by Adam Rianda just nine seconds into the contest.
Rianda finished the game with three goals total, as well as a pair of assists.
Although Agan did take some of his offensive power out as the game progressed, the coach still seeks improvement on the attacking end.
“We did a real good job on defense,” Agan said, “but it’s our offense that we still need to be working on.
“Really, the way the game of water polo is played, every time we turn the ball over, we’re giving the other team a counterattack. If you’re playing a team with speed, you’re in trouble.”
Nevertheless, Agan sees the ‘Balers improving overall. After the second quarter saw one San Benito goal, the ‘Balers put five more into the net in the third.
Ryan Whiteside contributed two goals and two steals for San Benito, while Phil Torres had a goal, an assist and three steals. Ryan Agan also had a pair of steals for the ‘Balers.
San Benito (1-1 TCAL, 4-5 overall) will host Watsonville on Monday at 3:30pm.
Girls Water Polo
Hollister – The San Benito Lady ‘Balers ran the table Wednesday against visiting Monterey, and kept their record perfect in the Tri-County Athletic League.
San Benito (2-0 TCAL, 5-2 overall) played their second game in as many days Wednesday, and after falling to Live Oak 12-9 Tuesday, the squad rebounded with a 23-4 win over Monterey.
Jayme Telles and Katie Buzzetta contributed seven and six goals, respectively, while Kelsey Russell and Lila Yoldi each supplied three goals a piece. Sarah Kelso added a pair of points, and Jeanett Rodriguez and Katelynd Schaaphak scored one goal each.
The Lady ‘Balers held a 10-2 lead after seven full minutes of play at the San Benito High School pool, and a 19-2 lead at halftime when they prevented Monterey from netting a point in the second quarter.
While this was the second contest in two days for San Benito, Tuesday’s Live Oak match was the first time the Lady ‘Balers had played competitively in 10 days.
Coach Lacey Sutton felt the extended layoff had an affect on her Lady ‘Balers against Live Oak.
“We weren’t really playing together as a team,” she said of Tuesday’s contest. “It wasn’t clicking. They were a much faster team than we were.”
On Monday, San Benito will visit Watsonville for a 3:30pm league match.
