Gilroy High’s boys soccer team now has its back firmly planted
against the wall after losing 3-0 at Alvarez Thursday.
Giving up a goal in the first five minutes to the Eagles’ Hugo
Gonzalez, who scored another goal in the second half, the Mustangs
were playing catch-up all game.
GILROY – Gilroy High’s boys soccer team now has its back firmly planted against the wall after losing 3-0 at Alvarez Thursday.
Giving up a goal in the first five minutes to the Eagles’ Hugo Gonzalez, who scored another goal in the second half, the Mustangs were playing catch-up all game.
“We actually, we had a great week of practice,” Gilroy coach Armando Padilla said. “We had a bye on Tuesday so we had a couple extra days to prepare. … It was a test today and we just came out flat.”
Four regular GHS starters – Victor Garcia, Jorge Montano, Ramiro Diaz and Jose Luis Lopez – didn’t take field due to team discipline issues, which Padilla said affected the outcome as three replacements were freshmen and lacked big-game experience.
“We’re just trying to hold kids accountable and build discipline,” Padilla said. “Even knowing it was a crucial game, I still wanted to send a message.”
Gilroy (10-4-6, 4-2-2) is now in third place in the Tri-County Athletic League, with a spot in the Central Coast Section playoffs up in the air. Alvarez improved to 4-9-4 on the season, 3-2-4 in league.
The loss comes a week after Gilroy beat visiting North Salinas 2-0, with Bruce Ocana and Carlos Cortez each scoring a goal. Andy Moya and Jorge Sanchez were credited with assists.
Despite Thursday’s uninspired result, getting Sanchez back in the lineup after missing a little more than a month of games due to an ankle injury will be a big boost to the team in the final four contests of the season.
“He’s not quite 100 percent, but we’re giving him about 20 minutes a half,” Padilla said. “It’s been very hard for him to get a rhythm, but the kid is super passionate and has the will to win.”
Gilroy hosts Palma in its next game, which will take place at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. A Mustang win would propel the club back into second place in the TCAL.
“I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we can finish off the remaining four games (strong),” Padilla said.
“We’re not quitting. That’s not Gilroy soccer.”
