‘Balers double up Sobrato with 2-1 victory on the road
Morgan Hill – The San Benito Haybalers boys varsity soccer team posted their first Tri-County Athletic League win over the Sobrato Bulldogs, 2-1, Thursday afternoon, improving their TCAL record to 1-3 on the season.
The ‘Balers offense started off quick, finding the back of Sobrato’s (0-2-1 TCAL) goal twice in the first 10 minutes of play. Jaime Torres struck first for San Benito, drilling the ball past the Bulldogs goalkeeper as he came out of the goal. Less than five minutes later, Allan Nieves launched a shot from about 25 yards out that sailed just over the outstretched hands of Sobrato’s goalie, to give the ‘Balers a 2-0 lead.
“We played good,” said San Benito’s coach Juan Martinez. “I was expecting to score more goals. I wanted them to get confident, there was no pressure coming into the game. I have to give credit to the Sobrato team, they were defending good.”
The Bulldogs’ switched up their defense following the ‘Balers goals and adapted to the speed of San Benito’s forwards, bringing in the speedy Chris Sergent. The switch worked for Sobrato, which opened up its offense and got more shot opportunities.
Just about 10 minutes before halftime, the Bulldogs Victor Iracheta put the ball in the ‘Balers net after following a shot by Christian Swanson that was deflected by San Benito’s goalkeeper. The goal was waved off, however, as the referee called Iracheta offsides.
San Benito took the 2-0 lead into halftime.
“Our first 10 minutes we came out flat. We were getting beat with speed on the left side,” said Sobrato’s coach Ricardo Martinez. “I made a couple of changes after that and we held our own the rest of the game.”
The Bulldogs got on the board 15 minutes into the second half following a foul and yellow card by the ‘Balers Jose Carlos Vasquez. On the ensuing indirect kick, Arturo Ceja drilled the ball to the right side of the net, past San Benito’s diving goalkeeper, pulling Sobrato within one, 2-1.
The ‘Balers offense had plenty of opportunities to extend the lead, but could not convert shots when in front of the Bulldogs goal, as Sobrato’s defense stepped up.
“We have a small, young team and we get pushed off the ball,” explained the Bulldogs’ Martinez. “We need to work on getting to the ball and maintaining possession.”
Sobrato’s offense had difficulty converting its shot opportunities as well, with the back line of San Benito’s defense not allowing them an open look.
“This win feels good,” said ‘Balers’ Martinez. “I told them on the bus on the way here, ‘Let’s win this one.’ Hopefully we’ll play the same way against Salinas next week. We need to not make mistakes, especially on defense.”
Sobrato heads to Salinas to face Palma on Tuesday, while the ‘Balers match up against the Salinas Cowboys in Salinas .
