San Benito set to open TCAL season Thursday
HOLLISTER
San Benito head coach Ramiro Ramos called the first three games of the regular season experimental.
A defensive-minded coach by every sense of the term, Ramos started each game this season in a defensive-minded 4-4-2 formation.
But, as with any experiment, he’s added a little here and taken some away from other there as the season has progressed.
“To me, it was the weakest part of the team,” said Ramos regarding San Benito’s defense. “I thought that’s what needed the most attention.
“I like to start out more defensively until I figure out what the other team has.”
But also noticing San Benito’s affinity to play the more offensive-minded 4-3-3 – not Ramos’ preferred 4-4-2 – the rookie coach has adapted, and perhaps for the better.
After a 2-1 loss to Sobrato and a 2-0 defeat to North Monterey County, San Benito trailed Pajaro Valley 3-nil at halftime. Ramos decided to move a third forward up in the attack, and the plan netted the ‘Balers two quick goals.
San Benito wound up losing to Pajaro Valley 3-2 in that game, but the mid-game adjustment provided the ‘Balers with an attack that was lacking in their first two matches.
And with the recent call-up of freshman Juan Navarro from the junior varsity team – the “missing link” on defense, Ramos said – as well as witnessing the sudden progression of sophomore midfielder Andres Hurtado (five goals in his last three games), the rather youthful ‘Balers are winners of two straight, a fact that will certainly ease the pain of any defensive-minded coach.
“It made me feel a little bit more comfortable,” Ramos said. “They’re starting to know each other and know what to expect from each other while they’re in there.
“As far as the team itself, I’m really comfortable with them.”
San Benito has since downed Gonzales and dropped Monte Vista Christian, each by scores of 3-2, to improve to 2-3 on the early season.
And the team’s game against Gonzales has been set as their benchmark. It was San Benito’s first win of the season, and it came on the road against not only the 2006-07 Central Coast Section Division II champion, but also last year’s Mission Trail Athletic League victor.
“That game against Gonzales proved a lot,” Ramos said. “What they can do when they play together as a team.”
Opening the Tri-County Athletic League on Thursday at Palma, the ‘Balers will look to become the first team since 1983 to qualify for the Central Coast Section from San Benito High. And with only three postseason appearances in school history, it won’t necessarily be an easy task.
But with Gilroy the only clear leader in the TCAL through the preseason, after having posted a 3-1 record to start, anything is possible. Although it’s Ramos’ first year, San Benito – with 11 seniors on the team – went 4-8 in league last year, its best record since 2002-03.
“If they play the way they played against Gonzales, I think there is a good chance of getting very close to the CCS,” Ramos said. “I have a lot of confidence in these guys. When they’re playing the way they should be, they can do some damage.”
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San Benito has three games this week. They will host Carmel on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., King City on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m., and open the TCAL at Palma on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
The San Benito High girls soccer team will be previewed in Friday’s Pinnacle. The Lady ‘Balers open the TCAL season on Friday at home to Notre Dame.
