With a chance to grab a priceless three-game lead and place a
virtual stranglehold on the rest of the Tri-County Athletic League,
the Gilroy High boys soccer team instead suffered its first league
defeat 2-0 against defending champion Alisal on Thursday night in
Gilroy.
With a chance to grab a priceless three-game lead and place a virtual stranglehold on the rest of the Tri-County Athletic League, the Gilroy High boys soccer team instead suffered its first league defeat 2-0 against defending champion Alisal on Thursday night in Gilroy.
“I think we were out of our game in that first half and it took us a while to find our rhythm,” GHS head coach Armando Padilla said.
The physical nature of the game came as no surprise as both teams tend to enjoy getting under each others’ skin and a steady dose of chippiness ensued. A combined seven yellow cards were issued, making one of the more heated rivalry games that much more enjoyable.
Edgar Prieto made it 1-0 in the 15th minute and added his second goal two minutes before halftime.
Just as a 2-0 halftime deficit began to look insurmountable, the Mustangs discovered a groove over the final 20 minutes of the second half and had four prime opportunities to climb back into the contest. Each effort though missed its mark.
The Mustangs’ comeback attempt began with a near-goal in the 59th minute. Jonathan Diaz De Leon found himself one-one-one with an Alisal defender. The speedy forward lined up a shit that hit the outside of the net. Three minutes later Diaz De Leon torched a shot on goal, which was cleverly batted away by Alisal keeper Armando Serrano. Diaz De Leon and fellow forward Jorge Sanchez each had chances late in the second half with Sanchez heading in an apparent goal with a little more than two minutes to play. However, a foul was called and the tally negated.
“I’m really happy with the way our kids fought the last 20 minutes,” Padilla said. “They didn’t give up and showed a lot of pride and character.”
Despite the loss, the Mustangs (10-3-2 6-1 TCAL) remain a game up on the Trojans (8-6-2, 6-2 TCAL) with five to play. The two rivals split the season series with Gilroy easily getting the win 5-2 in the first encounter.
“We still control our own destiny and sit atop the standings,” Padilla said. “But we’ll see where we are going to be three weeks from now.”
The Mustangs host Palma on Monday.
