The Mustang kickers won their third straight one-goal game in
opening pool play of the Homestead Christmas Cup
– finishing with Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Monte Vista.
SAN JOSE – The Mustang kickers won their third straight one-goal game in opening pool play of the Homestead Christmas Cup – finishing with Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Monte Vista.
The Mustangs started their tournament run with a 1-0 nod over Sequoia and then a 3-2 victory over Independence. Gilroy now advances to the single-elimination quarterfinal round for the first time in its four years competing in the Cup. The quarterfinal game is scheduled for Saturday, but the Mustangs do not yet know who and where they will play.
Sophomore midfielder Ben Alcantar scored an unassisted goal for the game-winner against Monte Vista. The scoring play developed with junior striker Everardo Diaz de Leon’s one-on-one breakaway. The goalie brushed his shot aside, but an opportunistic Alcantar was there to one-time the ball into the open net.
“It was a great shot by the sophomore,” said Coach Armando Padilla of Alcantar’s goal.
The unbeaten Mustangs are 8-0-2 to start their season and will not play again until Saturday’s quarterfinal contest.
“We have a whole week of preparation,” Padilla said.
