The San Benito High girls soccer team opened the season with a 2-0 non-league loss to Leigh on Dec. 1. Despite recording just two shots on goal in the second half, the Haybalers showed flashes of potential that gave fourth-year coach Becky Bonner-Leland plenty of reason for warranted optimism.
“To be honest, it’s looking good this year,” Bonner-Leland said. “It’s looking good for the next couple of years.”
The Balers, who followed up the loss by beating Piedmont Hills 2-0 on Dec. 3, are intent on winning their second Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division championship in three years. They won the title two years ago before finishing third last season. Even with tough teams in defending league champion Salinas and Alisal, San Benito is confident it can once again reach the pinnacle. In terms of talent flowing from the youth level and feeding into the high school, this could be the golden era of girls soccer in Hollister.
“It’s really nice now with the talent we have coming in not only on the varsity, but the JV, too,” Bonner said. “It’s just phenomenal. There are girls that can run, girls that can pass and girls that can communicate. (From a talent standpoint) this is the best start we’ve had to a season in a really long time.”
For San Benito, talent abounds everywhere on the field. The Balers return five starters from last year’s unit, including goalie Hailey Blackburn, defenders Rachel Peterson and Marisa Villegas and midfielders Kassie Moreno, Austin Perez and Alyssa Bengivengo.
They’ll all be relied upon to be consistent in their play and communication. The Balers take pride in their physical condition and ability to outlast others. Villegas and midfielder Carly Lowi are players who can literally run all game without tiring.
“They can run for days and not even look tired,” Bonner-Leland said. “I don’t know how that’s humanly possible, but they do it.”
Defender Lucy Alcala also possesses the proverbial motor that never stops; against Leigh, she seemingly covered every part of the field multiple times over. Blackburn looks more confident in goal, a byproduct of being a year older along with the fact that she’s projected to be the sole starter for the season.
A year ago, Blackburn was in a platoon role as one of the team’s top two goalkeepers, often switching up halves with the other starter.
“This year we’re trying to primarily stick with one goalie,” Bonner-Leland said.
Bengivengo, Moreno and Perez all are strong players who can contribute in a variety of ways, while Peterson has a skill set that translates well against any team.
“Rachel is everywhere,” Bonner-Leland said. “Her touch is beautiful, her kicks are solid and her decision-making is strong. The nice thing is there are a lot of girls like that on our team this year.”
Several other players should give the Balers a boost, including forward Shantay Tamez and forward/midfielder Kayla King, who transferred in from Sobrato High midway through last season. Tamez earned a starting position midway through last season as a freshman, and enters this season with the coach’s confidence. Tamez had a couple of strong runs down the left flank against Leigh, which created scoring chances.
“Shantay is just a sophomore who is dynamic and fast,” Bonner-Leland said. “If she can get a shot on with the right angle, it’s going in.”
Against Leigh, Tamez and King displayed their leg strength, as both players launched laser shots in the second half. Tamez and Emmalyn Irvin scored goals in the team’s victory against Piedmont Hills. Although the team lost to Leigh, the final score wasn’t an accurate indicator of the close nature of the contest.
In terms of possession, San Benito was pretty much on even terms with the Longhorns, who took advantage of a breakdown from the San Benito defense on the first goal. Bonner-Leland expressed deep satisfaction in knowing her players are thinking alike with the coaching staff.
“Their responses made me extremely happy,” Bonner-Leland sad. “To have positive and constructive things to say at the half (against Leigh) and afterward saying what they needed to work on, it’s obvious they’re aware of what they need to do to grow. It makes you feel good knowing everything I thought in my mind that they needed to work on, they’re already talking about it.”
