San Benito rallies with two second-half goals to earn co-TCAL
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Salinas – Coach Mike Schurig’s memories of last year’s winless season were washed away with Gatorade and water Thursday. His players showered him after San Benito highlighted its turnaround season with a 2-1 win over Salinas to earn the Haybalers a share of their first ever girls soccer league championship.
“I knew that we would have a better finish than last year because we had so many close games,” said Schurig, whose team went 0-10-2 in league play last season. “But it wasn’t until the season started that I really thought (a championship) was a possibility.”
By the time Thursday’s regular-season finale started, Schurig already knew of North Salinas’ loss to Notre Dame, which clinched at least second place for the ‘Balers (13-5-2, 8-3-1 TCAL) and a spot in the Central Coast Section playoffs. But San Benito clearly was not content with second place and was looking for a win that would tie it for the Tri-County Athletic League crown with Gilroy (10-4-6, 7-1-4), which beat Alisal 4-0 to earn its share of the title.
“We wanted the share of the title,” said Schurig, who did not tell his players until halftime that North Salinas had lost. “There were some negative feelings at halftime, so that’s why I had to break the news that we were already going to CCS. They needed to have a positive uplift and I think that helped us.”
Salinas (8-10-3, 4-5-3) had a 1-0 lead after the first half and controlled the flow of the game, outshooting the ‘Balers 8-0.
In the second half, San Benito found its rhythm. But midway through, San Benito was still facing a 1-0 deficit.
In the 61th minute, Sophie Coelho got in a foot race with the Salinas goalkeeper to chase down a loose ball. It got past the keeper and Coelho lined up to shoot, but was fouled in the box to give the ‘Balers a penalty kick.
San Benito senior Brittany Huth lined it up and fired a shot into the net to tie the game.
Still needing another goal for the result to matter, the ‘Balers kept fighting and in the 69th minute it paid off.
Coelho, who sat out most of the first half with a quadriceps injury, got the ball about 30 yards out. She dribbled past and around several defenders as she moved to the right of the net and executed a slide kick to get the ball past the keeper and into the net for the game-winner.
“I was thinking that if I make this it’s going to be the best moment of my career,” the San Benito freshman and leading scorer said.
The ‘Balers then went into defensive mode, trying to hold onto the lead. Junior Rachel Maheu provided a big spark with several clears from deep in the zone.
“Maheu was a huge force,” Schurig said. “Since Carly (Brigantino) went down, Maheu’s been a find back there.”
The win was certainly a emotional one for many of the ‘Balers, especially those who endured last year’s last place finish.
“I’m just glad to be part of the team; we never could’ve done it without each other,” said Huth, a senior captain. “You would never think you could go from last place into first. It’s just crazy.”
The fact that the title will be shared with rival Gilroy did little to dampen the moment.
“I don’t care, I just want our name on that banner in the gym,” Huth said.
San Benito will learn when and where it begins its CCS playoff run at the seeding meeting at 1pm Saturday.
