San Benito and Gilroy enter Wednesday’s Tri-County Athletic
League showdown in Hollister with first place on the line. Both the
Mustangs and Lady Balers boast perfect 5-0 records in the TCAL this
season, and have already proven they’re head-and-shoulders above
the opposition. San Benito has outscored its TCAL opponents by an
18-0 margin this season, Gilroy 25-1.
HOLLISTER
Last year, the San Benito Lady Balers needed a win over Gilroy in the season finale to have any sort of chance at a postseason bid — a tall task considering the Hollister girls soccer team hadn’t upended the Mustangs in nearly five years.
“Last year, we had a couple of girls say they were nervous (before the game),” San Benito head coach Ben Alvarez said. “After the win, we felt we were as good (as they were). We could do it.”
Since Jan. 6, 2005, San Benito had compiled an 0-7-1 record against the Mustangs until last season’s 1-0 victory.
Although the Lady Balers fell painstakingly short of qualifying toward the playoffs last year, Gilroy’s reign had finally ended.
“They have the attitude this year that we are as good as they are,” Alvarez said. “We’re gonna play to their level and defend our home turf.”
The two teams enter Wednesday’s Tri-County Athletic League showdown in Hollister with first place on the line. Both the Mustangs and Lady Balers boast perfect 5-0 records in the TCAL this season, and have already proven they’re head-and-shoulders above the opposition.
San Benito has outscored its TCAL opponents by an 18-0 margin this season, Gilroy 25-1.
“Anytime the name Gilroy comes up, you know they’re gonna have a strong program,” Alvarez said. “This is a must for us and we’re gonna come out ready, and ready to play offense.”
The offensive-minded coach has always employed a shoot-first-shoot-often approach, but it’s the play of his defense which been somewhat understated this season.
The unit hasn’t allowed a goal in TCAL play, just 11 all season, while San Benito has shut out six teams already this year.
On Saturday, behind three goals from Hannah Cobb — Tori Perez and Karly Leon also added scores — the Lady Balers easily downed Everett Alvarez 5-0, a game in which the Eagles were limited to just three shots on net.
“Ever since I moved Samantha Moreno to the back,” Alvarez said of his improved defense. “After the Santa Cruz game (San Benito lost 5-1), we decided to move her to the back because she communicates well with the other players and she’s a good leader.”
Whether the Lady Balers can keep a speedy Gilroy team from running its routes down the sideline remains to be seen, although Alvarez likened the Mustangs’ attack to Salinas’, and San Benito staved off the Cowboys for a 1-0 win.
On Monday, Gilroy defeated Salinas 6-1.
But like Salinas, Gilroy sends its wing players down the sideline, forcing the defense to commit. Once that happens, the mid players swarm the middle of the field and await the ensuing cross pass.
“So we force them to the inside,” Alvarez said of his team’s game plan against Gilroy. “Hopefully, we’ll use that same strategy and use our home-field advantage.”
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San Benito (5-0 TCAL, 7-3-2) and Gilroy (5-0 TCAL, 7-4-2) will meet in Hollister on Wednesday. Kick-off is 3:30 p.m.
