Fabian Ruiz netted the game winner in the third minute of stoppage time in the second half to propel the Gavilan College men’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over West Hills on Tuesday.
Josh Gonzalez, who played a role in the Rams’ first goal earlier in the match, assisted on Ruiz’ deciding tally in the 93rd minute, which sent the squad to 4-3 heading into Coast Conference action Friday.
“It was very exciting. Both teams played really well back and forth in that second half,” Gavilan head coach Justin Johnson said. “We were strong in the back and Eric Saavedra played outstanding. It was fantastic.”
Gonzalez’ effort in close earned a penalty kick for the Rams. Andy Moya took the duty and deposited the goal to tie the game 1-1 late in the first half.
“We have definitely made huge improvements from the first (nonconference game) to the last,” Johnson said. “We feel confident that we are improving every day. It was a good win to go into conference with.”
The Rams open conference against Cabrillo with a 4 p.m. start in Gilroy.
FIELD HOCKEY
Sherelle Butler scored twice as the Christopher High upended Carmel 3-1 in a Mission Trail Athletic League tilt Tuesday.
Melanie Tanaka recorded the third goal for CHS, which improves to 3-0-2 overall and 2-0 in the MTAL.
“The girls looked good,” CHS coach Lia Peterson said. “(They) talked a lot and have a good grasp of positioning.”
CHS hosts defending league champion North Salinas at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Cougars have not defeated the Vikings in varsity competition.
• Five different players scored for Gilroy High in its 5-0 blanking of visiting Presentation on Tuesday.
The Mount Hamilton Division opener for both schools was all Gilroy, who improves to 9-0 overall.
“As the second half approached we were firing on all cylinders,” coach Adam Gemar said. “I was pleased at being about to switch to different positional schemes throughout the game and have all the players respond so positively and play so well.”
Monica Marrazzo had a goal and two assists, and Katrina Carter, Lilybeth Mendoza, Ezzie Gobea and Tayler Silacci had the other goals. Emma Leach was credited with three assists, while Gobea, Carter and Morgan Rogers also had an assist.
The Mustangs host Los Gatos on Thursday in another big league encounter. The Wildcats lost to Mitty 2-0 on Tuesday.
The last time the two teams met was in last season’s Central Coast Section semifinals – a dramatic win that needed a pair of overtimes and penalty stroke periods to decide.
VOLLEYBALL
Christopher High cut the ribbon on the Monterey Bay League Pacific Division with a sweep (25-18, 25-12, 25-15) of visiting North Monterey County on Tuesday night.
“We had a really strong night at the service line,” CHS coach Brian Calimpong said. “It was a total team effort tonight. Almost every girl got to play and many contributed in multiple facets.”
The Cougars collected 14 service aces as a team. Emily Doughty led all in that category with four aces. Both Alex Gerberick and Marielle Gomez had three aces.
“I was really proud of them,” Calimpong continued about his team. “They played well.”
Hanna Tabron posted a team-high seven kills and Brittney Souza had the team-high in digs with six.
CHS (4-7 overall, 1-0 MBL) continues league play Thursday at Alisal.
WATER POLO
Christopher High boys fell 13-6 to Palma on Tuesday.
