‘Balers Challenge Throughout, But Fall 1-0 to North Salinas
San Benito boys soccer head coach Juan Carlos Martinez is just waiting for the breakthrough he felt has been coming for the past two weeks. Despite another disheartening loss, a 1-0 affair to North Salinas on Saturday, Martinez remains upbeat and confident that his Haybalers are on the cusp of some solid victories.
“They played great,” said Martinez of his players’ efforts against the visiting Vikings. “They played the way I wanted them to play. We had some shots, some good shots, but their goalie saved the game.”
After North Salinas’ Armando Lucio gave his team the lead with a goal midway through the first half, neither team was able to connect again.
Martinez likened his team’s performance to its showing in an earlier 2-1 loss to TCAL-heavyweight Live Oak, a game the ‘Balers dominated for long stretches, but one in which they couldn’t quite prevail.
“We controlled most of the second half,” said Martinez of Saturday’s action. “We made a lot of plays, but we had a lot of trouble putting the ball in the net. We were very, very aggressive. Very physical.”
With Gilroy coming to town on Thursday, San Benito (3-7-1, 1-5-1 TCAL) is looking to avenge an earlier defeat to its rival.
“We’re ready for them,” said Martinez of the Mustangs, who beat San Benito 3-0 on Dec. 13. “If we play this way, we’ll win. Hopefully, we’ll keep playing the same way–physical and aggressive.
“We’re hungry for a win.”
San Benito hosts Gilroy under the lights on Thursday at 5:30pm.
