Gilroy and North County, two top soccer teams in their
respective leagues, battled to a 4-4 tie score in Friday’s
non-league opener on the Mustangs’ home turf.
GILROY – Gilroy and North County, two top soccer teams in their respective leagues, battled to a 4-4 tie score in Friday’s non-league opener on the Mustangs’ home turf.
“We let one get away,” said Gilroy head coach Albert Marques, whose squad allowed two Condor goals in the final four minutes. “We played a little shorthanded so the guys were a little tired. In a high-scoring game like this, everyone wants to come up and score. We got caught on a couple of quick counters.”
After falling behind 1-0 early, the Mustangs went on the offensive as junior striker Javier Hernandez evened the score on a great individual effort. Hernandez jump-kicked the ball away from a Condor defender, dribbled in all alone and put one in the net on a low shot. Gilroy then took a 2-1 advantage in the first half when senior captain Horacio Arteaga scored on a penalty shot.
“I’m really happy. The offense did a nice job. We moved the ball well,” Marquez said. “We played a very good North Monterey County team today.”
Before the half, the Mustangs extended to a 3-1 lead as senior midfielder Marc Griffis touched in an Arteaga corner kick.
But the Condors battled back in the second half as striker Salvador Mundez scored off a cross from teammate Jorge Medina to close the gap to 3-2.
Gilroy, however, had more left in its tank. Arteaga showed off his fancy footwork on the fourth Mustang goal as he faked a shot to his left and then turned to his right for a swirling, rocket shot that moved the netting.
“This is the first year that I think we have a lot of guys who can score,” Marquez said. “We really feel these guys are going to score a lot of goals. We won’t be relying on our defense this year.”
The Mustang defense could not contain the Condor attack though as Mundez netted a pair of goals in the final four minutes to end the game in a 4-4 tie. Mundez first scored off a corner kick and then, with 30 second left, blasted a shot into the upper corner.
“We’re running a little under our capability, but the good thing is we came back to get the tie,” said North County coach Sergio Marquez of the comeback. “We’ve got lots of things to work on.”
While Gilroy will contend for the Tri-County Athletic League title this year, North County is a favorite to take the Monterey Bay League crown.
Up next for the Mustangs is a Nov. 22 road game against Scotts Valley at 3:30 p.m.
