Clayton, Coelho score twice in San Benito’s 5-1 win
In a follow up to its biggest win of the season, the San Benito girls soccer team had an offensive eruption and routed host Alisal 5-1 on Thursday.
A week ago, the Haybalers knocked off first place and defending Tri-County Athletic League champion North Salinas, but proved in this one that they wouldn’t fall victim to a letdown.
“It was very important,” San Benito coach Mike Schurig said of the ‘Balers responding with a second straight strong performance. “The girls have some confidence but need to keep building on that confidence, they need to keep jelling. To do that when it really counts in a game … it’s very, very huge to keep the momentum going.”
JC Clayton followed up her two-goal effort against the Vikings with two more goals – giving her five on the season – and leading scorer Sophie Coelho also scored twice to boost her total to 14. Brittany Henderson put one in the net for her first tally of the season.
The win puts San Benito (8-3-2) in sole possession of second place at 3-1-1 in league play, breaking its tie with Alisal, Salinas and Gilroy. The Cowboys and Mustangs battled to a 2-2 draw Thursday.
“I told the girls ‘I want you to keep it going. I want you to get a big win, make a statement because when we get to (Central Coast Section playoffs), that’s how we’re going to have to play,'” Schurig said.
The game was scoreless through the first half, before San Benito broke through in the fifth minute of the second half.
Clayton intercepted a clearing pass by Alisal and dribbled in and scored unassisted.
Six minutes later, the Trojans tied the game when they fired a shot in from 40 yards out.
The ‘Balers wasted little time in responding and four minutes later, Clayton fielded a pass from Vere Fonseca and scored to regain the lead.
Coelho gave San Benito some insurance with a 65th minute goal off an assist from Rachel Maheu and then she assisted Henderson’s goal in the 73rd minute and scored the final tally in the 79th minute.
