A slow start prevented the San Benito Haybalers from pulling the
upset Tuesday, as a visiting Gonzales squad jumped out to a quick
lead and held on for a 3-0 win in Hollister.
A slow start prevented the San Benito Haybalers from pulling the upset Tuesday, as a visiting Gonzales squad jumped out to a quick lead and held on for a 3-0 win in Hollister.
San Benito coach Ben Alvarez said that the start of the game for San Benito (0-1-1) has been the problem so far. After last week’s 2-2 tie against North Monterey County, a game in which the ‘Balers were taken by surprise and fell behind early, Alvarez said, Gonzales scored three goals within the first 30 minutes of regulation on Tuesday.
“Gonzales played very good. Gonzales played outstanding,” Alvarez said. “In the first half, it was one of the worst games we’ve played as a team.”
San Benito’s difficulty came at the midfield positions against Gonzales, leading to the fast start for the Spartans.
But once adjustments were made, the ‘Balers settled down and began to play their game.
“As soon as we made the adjustments, they did well,” Alvarez said. “But it was too late to recover from three down.
“We have a lot of youth and we’ve got to come together … We’ll get better as time goes by.”
Gonzales, who was last year’s Central Coast Section champion for Division II, scored in the 5th minute on a goal by Roman Valdez. Lalo Verdusco then scored twice – once at the 15th minute and again in the 30th minute – to put the Spartans up 3-0.
“We’ve got to give it to them,” Alvarez said. “It was a well played game for them.”
Gonzales keeper Domingo Uribe had two assists and Miguel Vidauri added another.
San Benito will look to get its first win of the early season when they travel to the coast next Tuesday to take on Carmel. Game time is 3:30 p.m., at Carmel Middle School.
