Playing a defensive 5-4-1 formation, and often trying to draw
the offsides call, the Balers kept Palma away long enough to snap a
three-game losing streak against the Chieftains in Hollister, where
the two teams finished in a scoreless tie.
HOLLISTER
No, it wasn’t the end result San Benito wanted.
“We’re always looking for the win,” keeper Frank Hernandez said.
But Thursday’s Tri-County Athletic League opener against a speedy Palma team certainly ended in far better fashion than last year’s pair of games against the Chieftains.
Playing a defensive 5-4-1 formation, and often trying to draw the offsides call, the Balers kept Palma away long enough to snap a three-game losing streak against the Chieftains in Hollister, where the two teams finished in a scoreless tie.
Last year, San Benito lost to the Chieftains twice — 5-1 in Salinas and 2-1 at home.
“We don’t like to lose or tie. We always go for the win,” said Hernandez, who made a slide-tackling save in the game’s final minutes that helped preserve the 0-0 finish. “I’ve been practicing that a lot. That’s what happens when you play against fast guys. You’ve got to come out with everything.”
After a Palma forward split a pair of San Benito defenders off a throw-in, Hernandez came flying out toward the top of the box and went feet-first into the Chieftain, taking the attempt off his chest.
“We’re playing good, especially the defense,” Hernandez said. “They stepped up and helped me out a lot.
“So far, we’re doing good. But we’ve always got to go for the win.”
San Benito had their chances, especially in the first half, when junior fullback Tino Granados sent one to the far post. But Palma’s keeper made several fingertip saves early in the game, while the Baler defense — led by Charlie Ramirez, Steven Mercado, Adan Garcia, Joel Ojeda, Andy Hurtado and Granados — often prevented the Chieftain attack from penetrating early on.
San Benito played an offsides trap, and forced Palma off four times in the first half.
“Against a fast team, that’s probably our best way of stopping them,” San Benito head coach Ramiro Ramos said.
Physical play escalated in the second half, leading to several Balers having to be taken off the field, although Ramos said none of the injuries were serious. However, a total of eight yellow cards were handed out to players on both teams.
Wednesday’s TCAL opener was San Benito’s first game since Dec. 21, when the Balers posted a 3-2 victory over Evergreen Valley. They are now 1-0 in the TCAL, 3-3-2 overall.
Palma is 0-0-2 in the TCAL, 2-3-4 overall.
“I expected to win,” Ramos said. “We really weren’t implementing what we had been practicing the last two to three weeks. We fell to their game plan right from the get-go — ball flying everywhere.”
Ramos felt the team’s 5-4-1 formation should have resulted in more possessions, “and that wasn’t happening,” the coach added.
“But I’m happy with a tie,” Ramos said. “I’ll take it.”
San Benito will visit defending TCAL champion Alisal on Tuesday. Kick-off is 3:30 p.m.
TEAM 1 2 F
PALM 0 0 0
SANB 0 0 0
See Tuesday’s edition of the Hollister Free Lance for a TCAL preview.
