Gilroy Girls cruise to easy 7-0 victory over ‘Balers
By Scott Campbell, Staff Writer
Hollister – For JoAnn Pedroza and the Gilroy girls soccer team, the TCAL season could not have had a better beginning.
Behind the game-of-a-lifetime from Pedroza, a senior forward who scored four goals, the Mustangs throttled host San Benito 7-0 to pocket their first win of the year.
Asked if she had a name for her remarkable feat–perhaps a grand slam?–, Pedroza smiled.
“I don’t know what to call it,” said Pedroza, who also notched an assist. “My adrenaline was pumping. I just wanted to keep on scoring. I didn’t want to stop.”
After Gilroy finished its challenging preseason with a record of 0-4-2, ‘Stangs head coach Jose Hernandez was just happy his team kicked off league play with a victory.
“We’re 1-0 in league,” said Hernandez. “That’s the one that counts right now. It’s a good way to open our season. Last year we lost 1-0 on this field in our league opener, so this year it’s a lot nicer to have a 7-0 win.”
The ‘Stangs (1-4-2, 1-0 TCAL) roared out of the gate and never took their foot off the accelerator, scoring two minutes into this contest and peppering the Haybalers’ net throughout.
Gilroy senior forward Brittany Barnes gathered a cross from Pedroza and powered it into the right corner of San Benito’s net to put the Mustangs up 1-0.
The ‘Balers looked primed to answer right back when forward Rachel Maheu dribbled down the left side of the field and used a nice cutback to lose a Gilroy defender, but Maheu’s shot was right at ‘Stangs goalie Sara Hugo in the fourth minute.
San Benito (4-4-1, 0-1 TCAL) managed just one more shot in the first half.
Meanwhile, the Pedroza Show began in earnest for Gilroy. After notching her first goal in the 13th minute, Pedroza followed up with No. 2 just before the end of the half.
On a ‘Stangs’ counterattack, Pedroza battled with ‘Balers defender Sarah Mullen only to escape near San Benito’s penalty box. Pedroza’s shot caromed off the right post and into the ‘Balers’ goal, putting Gilroy up 3-0 at the half.
Pedroza added goals in the 58th and 73rd minutes to complete her outstanding afternoon.
Though Pedroza was the headliner of this game, it could easily have been one of her teammates. Gilroy’s fleet playmakers dominated the ball throughout the contest, outshooting the ‘Balers by a margin of 26-6.
Asked the key to Gilroy’s onslaught, Barnes mentioned precision in ball-handling.
“Just little touches,” said Barnes, who scored twice. “Helping each other, just getting it in the goal.”
‘Stangs junior midfielder Amanda Bruce put the finishing touches on the victory by scoring just before the final whistle blew.
“We’re slowly developing our team chemistry and passing,” said Hernandez. “Our goal today was to open it up to the outside and hit the inside.”
San Benito head coach Mike Schurig was just glad this game was over with.
“Not the way we wanted to start league,” said Schurig. “Sometimes you need a humbling like this to get the girls to step it up. [The ‘Stangs] have more talent in passing and controlling the ball. There’s no question about that.”
Gilroy has precious little time to enjoy its convincing victory. With Live Oak, the defending TCAL champion, set to visit on Thursday at 5:30, Barnes and her teammates know they will have their hands full.
“That’s going to be a big challenge for us,” said Barnes. “It’s going to be a big game.”
