Despite a strong start by host Alisal, the San Benito Lady
Balers battled back to pocket a 2-1 win in Tri-County Athletic
League play on Friday in Salinas.
SALINAS
Despite a strong start by host Alisal, the San Benito Lady Balers battled back to pocket a 2-1 win in Tri-County Athletic League play on Friday in Salinas.
Sara Yamasaki knotted the game just before halftime and Jessica Castro later followed with the game-winner to supply the Lady Balers with their ninth win this season.
San Benito is 7-1 in the TCAL and 9-4-2 overall.
“They surprised our defense. They came out strong,” San Benito head coach Ben Alvarez said of Alisal, which took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute. “But we were able to gain some composure and tied it (before halftime).”
Just before the break, in the 39h minute, Samantha Moreno intercepted a Trojan pass and sent a long ball down the right side to Yamasaki, who deposited the equalizer near post from just inside the 18-yard line.
“We felt the first half, we were playing really sloppy,” Alvarez said. “That shouldn’t happen, but it happens.
“In the second half, we came out swinging.”
San Benito scored what would be the game-winner in the 50th minute on a play that stretched the length of the field. Keeper Elizabeth Miller passed to Tori Perez on the left side, who then found mid Berniece Bribiesca.
Bribiesca continued down the left sideline before crossing it to the center, where Castro found the back of the net on one touch.
The Lady Balers had just 10 shots on goal, however. Alisal chimed in with nine shots on net.
“Evenly on the shots, but the score was different,” Alvarez said.
San Benito will enjoy its next three games at home, and will kick things off on Wednesday when it hosts North Salinas at 3:30 p.m.
TEAM 1 2 F
SANB 1 1 2
ALIS 1 0 1
