GILROY — Christopher needed to win its regular season finale to secure its place in the playoffs. Gilroy wasn’t about to roll over and let that happen.
The two teams engaged in a physical battle with each scoring in the first half. The defenses would allow nothing more, however, as the game ended in 1-1 tie.
Christopher drew first blood when Jasmine Contreras tapped in a goal after Jamie Bouttee’s shot was tipped of the the hands of Gilroy’s Alejandra Aceves.
“I thought we could hold onto the lead,” Christopher coach Robert Beardsley said. “We haven’t given up many goals all year.”
Regardless of whether Christopher sees the postseason or not, it was the last goal Contreras will score this season. The junior will have surgery on her ankle on Feb. 27 to repair the damage of torn tendons that forced her Achiles Tendon to overwork itself and consequently the bone to grow out to support it.
Contreras has played through the pain for the last four games and when she’s not in cleats, has only been allowed to wear flat mocassin-like shoes.
“It’s very painful,” she said. “I had to use a lot of padding on my ankle (when playing). It’s still so irritating. I can’t do it any more.”
Losing Contreras to surgery is just one of many players the Cougars have lost to injury this season. They lost their leading scorer and last year’s Offesive Player of the Year, Paulina Llamas, to a torn ACL as well as starting goalie Lauren Ginn to a seperated shoulder. Back-up goalie Paulina Sanchez was taken out of the Feb. 5 game against San Benito due to a concussion, though should return to action next week. Since then, Vangie McNamara has been in net for Christopher. In spite of all that, the Cougars have only given up 10 goals all season.
The Mustangs were able to get one past McNamara, evening the score when Chelsey Robles was able to knock in a cross from Agust Gomez. The goal capped off a dominate first half for Gilroy.
“We were on fire,” Robles said with a smile.
Christopher came out swinging after the half, forcing Aceves to make two quick saves. The Mustangs answered, keeping McNamara on her toes in net. Though the Mustangs weren’t able to notch another goal, the game was a world of difference from their 4-1 loss to CHS on Jan. 24.
“We just wanted to win. We wanted to get revenge,” Agust Gomez said. “We’ve really grown. In the beginning we didn’t know how to play with each other. In the end, it looks like we’ll be OK next year.”
In addition to needing the win against Gilroy, Christopher also needed Alisal to lose its last two games. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Alisal beat Salinas 3-2 Wednesday and will look to further secure it’s spot in CCS with a win at Gilroy at 5:45 p.m. Friday in the regular season finale. The Mustangs could help Christopher out with a win, but if not, it will come down to points to get an at-large playoff berth.
“We’re battered, bruised,” Beardseley said. “Without three of our key players we’re playing tougher than ever. I think if you put us on the field with anybody we’re going to be competitive. We’re not going to be scoring six, seven goals like we were earlier in the year, but if we continue to do that (play hard), we can compete with anyone.”
Christopher finishes the regular season 14-3-3 overall and 6-3-3 in league.
Things are a little different for the Mustangs, who will take on Alisal looking to end their season on a high note. Regardless, Gilroy (6-9-2 overall, 5-4-2 in league) is keeping its intensity up until the very end.
“One more game, we don’t know what’s going to happen,” Mario Gomez said. “As we told my team, we play hard like it’s the first game of the season.”
