Sometimes you can play better than your opponent and still lose.
Statistics would indicate such was the case Saturday when Gilroy
High’s boys soccer team fell 1-0 to Overfelt in overtime in the
second round of the Central Coast Section playoffs.
Sometimes you can play better than your opponent and still lose.
Statistics would indicate such was the case Saturday when Gilroy High’s boys soccer team fell 1-0 to Overfelt in overtime in the second round of the Central Coast Section playoffs.
The Mustangs were in better position much of the afternoon – fouling less by a margin of seven to 16, had a 10-3 advantage on shots on goal and a 7-1 advantage on corner kicks taken.
All was for not, however, when Overfelt’s Gustavo Fernandez pocketed a goal in the third minute of the second frame of overtime.
Streaking through the middle of the field from twenty-five yards out after a couple quick passes opened a hole in the defense, Fernandez one-timed a shot off of keeper Victor Mendoza’s outstretched arms and into the net. The late goal eliminated Gilroy from the postseason and ended the Mustangs’ bid to repeat as CCS champs.
“We were developing those plays earlier (in the game),” Fernandez said. “We saw that (opportunity) and conquered it. (But) they’re a really good team. We have to give it up for them.”
Gilroy’s defense had shut down similar tactics for the first 93 minutes of the match. Seven minutes later, the game and season were over.
“All week of practice we worked on our defensive shape,” senior captain Kevin Grove said. “They definitely moved the ball – they’re a quick team, but we did a good job of containing them. They just found a seam and took advantage.”
Overfelt’s ability to capitalize on its few scoring opportunities was in stark contrast to Gilroy’s inefficiency when attacking. The Mustangs had several chances in overtime to score before and after Fernandez’ goal, but were unable to find the back of the net.
Gilroy’s closest chances to score included a barrage of shots in the final six minutes of regulation – including a low-flying laser by Clemente Pineda that curled just outside the right post in stoppage time – as well as a shot by Bruce Ocana after Fernandez’ goal in the second part of overtime. Ocana did an excellent job of volleying the ball off the bounce, but the sphere sailed just a foot wide.
Finishing had been a consistent problem for Gilroy throughout the season despite the team stringing together a few high-scoring games in the second half of the schedule. But shots taken by Gilroy in or around the box often got deflected by defenders, tipped out of bounds by Overfelt’s keeper Edgar Campos or missed by inches to feet.
“I’m really proud of the guys even though we ended up on the wrong side of the ledger,” Gilroy co-head coach Brian Hall said. “In my humble opinion, I think we outplayed them. The thing that’s haunted us all season was what hurt us today.”
“We played totally creative soccer. There is an old saying ‘The beautiful game’ and I think we played that way. At least our nine seniors can say they went out playing their final game 100 percent.”
The match marked the final performance in the careers of Gilroy’s Marcial Gonzalez, Jairo Rodriguez, Victor Mendoza, Edgar Hernandez, Oscar Zuniga, Eric Miller, Jose Armando Hernandez, Randy Moya and Kevin Grove.
Overfelt coach Luis Ruelas, who is friends with several of Gilroy’s players and coaches, said the win was bittersweet.
“It’s a heartbreaker game because I’ve known a lot of their kids for a long time,” Ruelas said. “You don’t want to see each other play in these types of games.”
Overfelt advances to play Leigh today, which won its quarterfinal contest over Los Gatos 8-7 on penalty kicks. That contest is at 4:30 p.m. at Milpitas High.
Gilroy finishes the year 15-4-7.
