‘Balers Boys Soccer Looks For Complete Performance As Season
Wraps Up
Hollister – Juan Carlos Martinez has one hope for his San Benito boys soccer team as it plays its final game tonight at Palma-that the Haybalers play a complete 80 minutes.
So often this season, San Benito has gotten an early lead on its opponent with aggressive and confident play in the first half. But the second half has been the ‘Balers’ undoing.
Unfortunately for San Benito, that trend played out again on Saturday as the team visited Salinas.
The Haybalers (3-10-1, 2-8-1 TCAL) jumped to a 1-0 lead on a first-half goal by forward Eddie Trujillo. But then everything fell apart in the second 40 minutes.
After the Cowboys tied the game 10 minutes into the second half, San Benito fell victim to an unusual sequence that deflated the team.
Passing the ball backwards, Haybalers midfielder Armando Espinoza hoped to get goalie Randall Lopez the ball and the chance to re-start the team’s offense. But the ball slipped under Lopez’ foot and rolled into the net for a Salinas goal.
The Cowboys would add another score in the closing minutes to prevail 3-1.
“We just couldn’t put more pressure on in the second half,” said Martinez. “I’m frustrated. It’s the same story every game. We’re not pressuring and we’re losing control of ourselves.
“[We’re] only playing a good 45 minutes and that’s not enough. We’re losing all the games in the second half.”
With their season coming to a close, Martinez and the ‘Balers know they have just one last shot to put a positive spin on their season.
“I hope we get the last one,” said Martinez. “I’m hoping we go over there and try to get a win, get a decent end to the season.”
San Benito and Palma are set to play tonight at 5:30pm at the Salinas Sports Complex.
