Prep Soccer: Four minute stretch pushes Live Oak past San Benito, 5-0

Live Oak and San Benito played a tough physical game that was decided in a four-minute stretch.
The Acorns already leading 1-0 in the 33^rd minute, rattled off three goals to go up 4-0 at the half and ultimately went on to win 5-0.
Live Oak has not given up a goal in three games this season while San Benito suffered its second straight shutout.
“It was a fun game. For preseason, it was a lot of fun,” said Live Oak coach Tony Gobel.
His keeper, Macey Linder, made three big stops, including a penalty kick in the second half.
The official awarded the kick after ruling Linder committed a foul as she chased down a ball at the top of the box.
San Benito’s Ilana Woods put a touch into the lower right corner, but a diving Linder caught it in her chest to deny the score.
It was a microcosm of how the second half went for the Haybalers, who had several good looks at goal, but couldn’t punch the ball past the Acorn defense or Linder.
“Live Oak plays a very physical game and my girls were not ready for that,” said Balers coach Becky Bonner.
Kayla Champion had the best shot at breaking the shutout in the 39^th minute capitalizing on a turnover and getting behind the defense for an open look. Her shot, however, found Linder, who punched the ball away.
Live Oak, meanwhile, was trying to coast home after a strong first half gave the Acorns a cushion in the second.
Ally Salzwedel got Live Oak on the board in the 10^th minute when she toed in a rebound after San Benito’s keeper over committed on an initial shot. Salzwedel threaded the ball through a pair of defenders for a 1-0 lead.
“I think we were able to dominate because we were able to read what the defense was doing because they weren’t organized really,” Salzwedel said.
That’s where the game stood until the 33^rd minute when Salzwedel again found herself behind the defender for an easy tap in goal.
One minute later, Brooke Waller took a ball that caromed hard off of the Baler keeper and put a soft touch on the ball for a 3-0 lead.
“We kind of knew after watching them that they looked a little sloppy in the back. We kind of knew if we were in the right spot, it would happen,” Gobel said.
Then in the 36^th minute, Shannon Rauschnot took advantage of a defensive breakdown for a 4-0 lead.
Bonner said her girls need to learn how to rebound after giving up a score.
“They need to remember that after every goal, they have to think it is 0-0. They need to be able to regroup,” Bonner said.
Live Oak scored its final goal in the 36th minute when Alissa Pham put a shot in the left corner.
In the interim, San Benito tried a counter attack offense that resulted in a few odd man rushes, but couldn’t finish strong at the net.
Bonner said she was happy with the effort in the second half.
“I think it speaks highly of the girls to not give up,” Bonner said.
Live Oak will move on to play Gilroy 5:45 p.m. Thursday. San Benito will next play Harbor in Santa Cruz 3:30 p.m. Thursday.