Salinas
– The Gilroy boys soccer team had to put the celebration on hold
Monday, but because of its 0-0 tie with Salinas, the Mustangs
remained in first place in the Tri-County Athletic League with one
game remaining.
Salinas – The Gilroy boys soccer team had to put the celebration on hold Monday, but because of its 0-0 tie with Salinas, the Mustangs remained in first place in the Tri-County Athletic League with one game remaining.
Gilroy (12-2-5, 7-0-4, 25 points TCAL) entered the game with a three-point lead in the standings on the Cowboys (10-2-8, 6-1-4, 22 points) and a win would’ve allowed it to clinch the league title.
“We’ve got to put this game behind us now and focus on Alisal,” Gilroy’s Bruce Ocana said. “We can still win and get our title.”
The Mustangs now need either a win or a tie Wednesday at home against Alisal to clinch the outright title.
Alisal (10-3-8, 5-1-4, 19 points) was scheduled to play San Benito on Monday but had to postpone the 6pm game when on-campus construction caused a power outage at the field. The game will be made up at 3:30pm Friday.
In a showdown in which both teams were desperate for a win, it was a predictably aggressive affair. More than 30 fouls were called – including 12 in the first 20 minutes of action.
“We knew it was going to be a physical game,” Gilroy co-coach Brian Hall said. “We knew they were going to try to come after us.”
The Mustangs nearly had a penalty kick late in the first half, when Salinas was called for a foul but it was just outside the box. Humberto Pineda lined up for the free kick and his shot sailed just over the net.
Gilroy had another good opportunity in the 56th minute. Kevin Grove delivered a strong throw-in that Randy Moya headed toward the net. It took a bounce and Jose “Tapon” Velasquez tried to beat the keeper to the ball and head it in. He made contact with the ball and it got past the keeper but was knocked clear before it found the net.
“Neither team could convert their chances,” Hall said. “One goal by either team could’ve turned the tied. It’s never easy for us to come to this atmosphere and this field.”
Kickoff for Wednesday’s game against Alisal is slated for 6pm.
“They’re going to come out and want to take it to us, especially after what happened last time,” Hall said, referring to Gilroy’s previous 1-0 win over the Trojans.
