The Hollister High girls soccer team shook off a sluggish first
half Thursday night and eased to a 4-1 over North Salinas at Andy
Hardin Field.
The Hollister High girls soccer team shook off a sluggish first half Thursday night and eased to a 4-1 win over North Salinas at Andy Hardin Field.
The win gives the Balers a 2-0-1 record in the Tri-County Athletic League, 9-3-2 overall.
“Give North Salinas a lot of credit,” said Balers coach Michael Schurig. “They put their three best players on defense and never let down. We came out flat. It wasn’t our best game. But the most important thing is the win.”
Jennifer Vandenberg kicked in the first of her three goals in the first half, but the Vikings tied the match on a direct kick which sailed over Balers goalie Chanin-Rae Maka. Vandenberg’s corner kick banana-ed towards the net and caromed off a Vikes player for a 2-1 Hollister lead at the half.
The Balers, behind Michelle Sanchez, Jenny Maheu and Vandenberg, turned the pressure up at the start of the second half. Several rushes came up empty, but Vandenberg booted the ball ahead and Maheu beat the North Salinas goalie to it and rolled it in for 3-1.
Vandenberg missed a couple of opportunities and finished off her second hat trick in two games.
Schurig also praised members of his defense, which played without defender Lorena Villagomez, who bonked her head in the match vs. Live Oak and has still not been medically cleared to play.
“Becky Bonner played great. So did Chantelle Guajardo, Brianna Griffiths and Sanchez,” said Schurig. “Michelle is improving so rapidly.”
JV score: Balers 5, Live Oak 0. Melissa Lewis had two goals for the Balers, while Erica Trujillo, Kitra Brigantino and Felicia Freitas had a goal apiece.
