San Benito, North Salinas finish 0-0; Lady ‘Balers still hold
five-point lead on North Salinas, four-point lead on Alisal for
second place in TCAL
Hollister
The end result wasn’t necessarily what the San Benito girls soccer team wanted, but tying North Salinas 0-0 Friday in Hollister will only help them toward their playoff goal.
The Lady ‘Balers entered the contest with a five-point lead on the Vikings for second place in the Tri-County Athletic League, as a top-two standing guarantees a berth in the Central Coast Section playoffs.
After Friday’s scoreless tie, San Benito’s five-point lead remains unchanged as both teams were rewarded a single point for the even outcome.
What does change, however, is that North Salinas has one less game to overcome the deficit between themselves and San Benito for second place in the TCAL and the prized playoff berth.
Although both teams laid a pair of goose eggs on the scoreboard, Friday’s tie helps San Benito far more than it does North Salinas.
A win, though, would have eliminated the Vikings from top-two contention in the TCAL.
“I’d prefer to have the win because it helps solidify things,” coach Mike Schurig said. “I would have liked to have won this game. We’ll just have to make sure we’re geared up for Alisal.”
Alisal, which defeated Everett Alvarez 3-1 Friday, could be the greatest threat to knocking off San Benito from their second-place perch. But the Trojans will have to go through Notre Dame on Monday, San Benito on Wednesday and Gilroy on Friday, as well as get some help from other teams, if they have any CCS dreams.
Alisal trails San Benito by four points with three games remaining. San Benito has two games remaining.
Friday’s contest against North Salinas was San Benito’s third game this week, and fatigue was perhaps a factor for the Lady ‘Balers, Schurig said.
“We had over 20 shots on goal and we don’t even have a single goal,” said Schurig, as San Benito dominated the scoring opportunities with 22 shots on net, compared to North Salinas’ seven.
Viking keeper Chelsea Campbell made 16 saves in goal, and thwarted every corner kick that came her way.
“We dominated on offense, but we just couldn’t get it in. We just couldn’t finish,” Schurig said. “With a goalie like that, you almost have to double your shots (on net).”
San Benito’s best chance to pocket a goal came midway through the second half, where a kick from Sophie Coelho deflected off teammate Hannah Cobb and bonked off the right post.
North Salinas’ best opportunity came early in the second half, when a free kick bounced eight yards in front of San Benito’s net. Keeper Emily Key was forced to come out, and amidst a group of players surrounding the loose ball, an errant shot went wide left.
Key finished with two saves.
The Vikings, although not officially eliminated from a second-place standing in the TCAL, have an outside chance of falling behind first-place Gilroy in the league, but would need to win their two remaining games and score plenty of help in the luck department to do so.
The Lady ‘Balers, on the other hand, remain in the drivers seat toward a CCS berth, and a win over Alisal on Wednesday will certainly go a long way in terms of strengthening their standing.
Depending on how well Alisal does against Notre Dame on Monday, a win for the Lady ‘Balers on Wednesday could eliminate the Trojans from top-two contention.
Kick-off is at 3:30 p.m., in Alisal.
Note: The San Benito girls soccer team celebrated their seniors at halftime on Friday. Alexa Garcia, Celina De La Cruz, Janessa Gillies, Rachel Maheu and Ashlyn Gonzales were presented with certificates.
