After expensing five first-half shots and multiple opportunities in front of the Watsonville net, the San Benito girls soccer team recieved second half goals by Berenice Bribiesca and Illanna Woods to escape with a 2-0 victory on Wednesday.
San Benito dominated the time of possession and play on the field throughout Wednesday’s game. Watsonville could only muster three shots on net throughout the game, as SBHS keeper Marissa Espino didn’t have much to do.
The Balers’ defense led by Victoria Perez helped slow down the Watsonville attack. As the Wildcatz slowed down as they entered in the San Benito zone.
On offense, Kristen Callanta, Desiree Martin, Woods and Bribiesca put constant pressure on the Wildcatz defense.
In the first half, though, San Benito’s shots remained high or outside.
“The girls are getting a lot of shots and opportunities on goal which is awesome,” SBHS head coach Becky Bonner said. “The same with the start, we just have to make sure we are finishing more. We are increasing the amount of goals that are going in. We are playing awesome.”
In the second half, San Benito finally broke though. Only moments into the game’s final 40 minutes, Bribiesca put the Balers. Receiving a deflected pass from Chace Miguel near the edge of the keeper box, Bribiesca snuck the ball past the diving Wildcatz keeper.
Less than 15 minutes later, Woods put the finishing touches on the win, as she recieved a pass from Callanta and beat the keeper near the net.
“I think we played a lot better than we usually do,” Woods said. “We were talking more and our passing was really good. I feel good about it. Our offense was doing really good. We were strong up front.”
It was a quality win for San Benito, which sits in a tie with Gilroy atop the Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division.
“The girls are working hard every day,” Bonner said. “They gel together. Their communication is awesome. Their passing has been beautiful from the first game ’til now. And I think that really helps us move off the ball well. And on top of that, when they are moving off the ball they are communicating and making the runs.”
She continued: “They are obviously areas that we need to improve on so we can make a run into CCS. Overall, it’s awesome because they are improving and moving forward.”
With the victory, San Benito is now 4-0-1 inside its division and 7-3-1 overall. The Balers season continues on the road Friday at 5:45 p.m. against Salinas High.
SBHS boys basketball
Thanks to 15 points from Jacob Tonascia and strong defense, the San Benito boys basketball team tightened its grip atop the MBL’s Gabilan Division on Wednesday with a 56-30 victory over Alvarez.
With the win, San Benito is now 6-0 over the first half of the league season. They are 16-2 overall.
In the win, Tonascia was aided by 11 points from Hyram Miskin. Overall, 10 Balers scored against the Eagles. Michael Breen added six points as the third-highest scorer.
San Benito begins the second half of the league season on the road Friday against Monterey. San Benito defeated the Toreadores 62-56 earlier this month.
