Gilroy High’s boys soccer team found itself in an uncomfortable
yet familiar position Thursday, as it gave up a goal early to fall
behind to the host Palma Chieftains.
Daniel Johnsen scored the game’s first goal, but Gilroy was able
to answer back later in the half when Ramiro Diaz assisted John
Paul Sanchez for the equalizer. A scoreless second half led to a
1-1 draw, the second tie in a row for the Mustangs (7-2-5 overall,
1-0-2 TCAL), who have now allowed the first goal in each of their
last five games.
GILROY – Gilroy High’s boys soccer team found itself in an uncomfortable yet familiar position Thursday, as it gave up a goal early to fall behind to the host Palma Chieftains.
Daniel Johnsen scored the game’s first goal, but Gilroy was able to answer back later in the half when Ramiro Diaz assisted John Paul Sanchez for the equalizer. A scoreless second half led to a 1-1 draw, the second tie in a row for the Mustangs (7-2-5 overall, 1-0-2 TCAL), who have now allowed the first goal in each of their last five games.
“We just could not find any sort of rhythm,” Gilroy coach Armando Padilla said. “We’re still trying to figure out what’s going to work for us.”
Palma went to 6-1-1 overall with the draw, 1-1-1 TCAL.
Today at 5:30 p.m., the Mustangs will face a physical Salinas Cowboys team which has had an unusual amount of success against Gilroy in recent years.
“Bruce Ocana actually brought this to my attention,” Padilla said. “We haven’t beaten Salinas in three years. We’ve either lost or tied.”
The two squads tied in both of last season’s meetings.
After losing forward Jorge Sanchez to a likely season-ending injury two weeks ago, Gilroy has had to tinker with its formation in hopes of getting a spark offensively.
“We went back to the drawing board this past week and I think we found our solution,” Padilla said of work being done in practice.
As important as formations can be, though, it will be supremely important for the Mustangs to build confidence early through seeing some results.
“It’s going to be important for us to get out and score first,” Padilla said. “I think once we get a lead, we can maintain it.”
