Team Mexico wins fifth annual GHS Latinos Program indoor soccer
tourney
Gilroy – There was a running theme to this spring’s Gilroy High Latinos Program indoor soccer tournament: Less skills, more show.
The soccer technical skills that took place during the 20-minute games held during lunch in the high school’s main gym weren’t as sharp as they’ve been in the past.
“Skill-wise, it was one of least creative tournaments, but I think it was most creative in social skills,” said tournament organizer and Latinos Program organizer Jose Hernandez, laughing. “So you have to take one with other.”
But the tournament, which began in March, was no less entertaining for the sizeable crowds it would draw during the school’s lunch period – partly in thanks to the fact it was the first tournament with live music. One team, the U.S. Hoggys, brought in trumpeters to play the national anthem before their games.
Nevertheless, the playoffs, which were played during the past two weeks, yielded some good competition. Two games were decided by penalty kicks. In the second game of the tournament championship, which was played Monday, Team Mexico defeated Cruz Azul 5-2 to clinch the title. Mexico also won the first of the two-game championship final, 2-1.
Gilroy High varsity soccer players Humberto and Jose Pineda were the leading scorers for Mexico. Other team members were Alberto Reyes, Francisco Lopez and Mustang girls’ varsity player Nubia Diaz de Leon. Andres Leon and GHS varsity soccer players Jose Hernandez, Jorge Montano, Joann Pedroza, Jason Pedroza and Jairo Rodriguez played for runner-up Cruz Azul.
About 120 students participated in the tournament, which takes place in the fall and spring. An alumni game was also held for the first time Tuesday. A team made up of some of the founding members of the program came back to play the fall champion, Juventus. The alumni beat the current GHS students 4-3.
