Gilroy
– It was a perfect opportunity to propel itself back into the
Tri-County Athletic League girls soccer race, and Gilroy took
advantage by beating first-place San Benito 3-0 on Saturday.
Gilroy – It was a perfect opportunity to propel itself back into the Tri-County Athletic League girls soccer race, and Gilroy took advantage by beating first-place San Benito 3-0 on Saturday.
“We definitely needed this win if we want to win the league title,” said Amanda Bruce, who had a goal and an assist. “Gilroy’s never won the league title so everybody wants to win it.”
The Mustangs (7-5-4, 4-1-3 TCAL) dominated every facet of the game and with the win, they closed the gap in the standings with the Haybalers. San Benito (10-4-2, 5-2-1) and North Salinas (9-4-2, 5-2-1) are now tied for first place with 16 points, while Gilroy is in third with 15 with four games remaining.
“We felt we let them get away with a tie last game,” Mustangs coach Jose Hernandez said of the 2-2 tie in the team’s first matchup. “It wasn’t going to happen again.”
Gilroy didn’t allow San Benito, which played most of the game without its top two scorers Sophie Coelho (14 goals, five assists) and JC Clayton (seven goals, three assists), as much as a shot on goal until the outcome was already decided.
“We knew going in it was going to be a tough game,” said San Benito coach Mike Schurig. “I wasn’t too worried about it. I was hoping to play great defense but our physical tiredness showed. Gilroy deserves the best and we just didn’t give it to them.”
The Mustangs got the only offense they would need in the 30th minute. Nubia Diaz de Leon fed a pass to Amanda Bruce in the circle and Bruce fired a shot to the left of goalkeeper Emily Key’s reach and into the net.
Gilroy continue to control the game and finally put it out of reach when Bruce fed Ariane Vera for a goal with 12 minutes left. Kristi Figueroa added the final goal in the 72nd minute to seal it.
“Our style of play is ball control and ball movement,” Hernandez said. “We knew we could use our speed and conditioning to beat them.”
The win concluded a solid week for the Mustangs, who rebounded from a 1-1 tie Tuesday against Alisal to beat Alvarez and San Benito by a combined score of 11-0.
“The last few games have re-energized us,” Bruce said. “I think we’ll do well the rest of the league season.”
Gilroy gets a chance for some much-needed rest after its busy three-game week. The Mustangs return to action Thursday against Notre Dame before hosting a crucial game against North Salinas at 10am Saturday.
