The transformation was one game to the next was amazing for the
Gilroy boys’ soccer team.
The Mustangs, who had looked so lifeless in a 1-0 defeat to
Monta Vista last Thursday, were on their game Tuesday at Piedmont
Hills, pounding the Pirates 3-0.
The transformation was one game to the next was amazing for the Gilroy boys’ soccer team.
The Mustangs, who had looked so lifeless in a 1-0 defeat to Monta Vista last Thursday, were on their game Tuesday at Piedmont Hills, pounding the Pirates 3-0.
“We were connecting with our passes and winning balls in the air,” senior defender Noel Vera said. “Our forwards were showing to the ball and we were able to play more to the forwards.”
It wasn’t only the forwards who were offensive minded. Vera had a goal and an assist to pace the Mustangs, 1-1 in the Homestead Cup and 2-1 overall.
Vera scored the first and only goal of the opening half. A free kick by Edgar Hernandez set up the goal in the 27th minute. Vera drove the ball past the Piedmont Hills goalie.
Bruce Ocana scored his second goal of the season 13 minutes into the second half. Vera inbounded a pass, got it back and dribbled down the right side. His crossing pass gave Ocana a clear shot from six yards.
Jose “Tapon” Velasquez emerged from a scramble and scored the final goal 27 minutes into the second half with Randy Moya assisting.
“We came out with energy,” GHS coach Brian Hall said. “You could see warming up they wanted this game. They came out focused. Vera, Humberto Pineda and Tapon all played great. As a team, we played phenomenal.”
Vera said this is the true team, not the one that seemed to go through the motions in the defeat to Monta Vista. The Matadors then lost to Piedmont Hills, 3-1 in the Homestead Cup.
“There should be more games like this,” Vera said. “We’re an awesome team but we can still play better.”
Gilroy has its home opener Thursday when it hosts Soquel at 3:15pm in another Homestead Cup encounter.
