Gilroy wins 5-1
The shutout streak is over. The Mission Trail Athletic League dominance continues.
Gilroy yielded its first goal to a MTAL opponent Thursday but still walked away with a 5-1 win over host Salinas.
Russhelle Preeshl scored two goals, and Amanda Spellman, Kelly Perkins and Erin Magill scored one apiece for the Mustangs (6-2-1 overall, 5-0 MTAL). Dana Schoeneman had three assists, and Lindsey Valadez and Magill had two assists apiece.
“I think we walked away not feeling real energetic or positive about the experience because we didn’t feel good to be scored upon,” coach Erin Gemar said. “We’re still not taking advantage of all of our opportunities.”
GHS raced to a 3-0 halftime advantage. The Mustangs stretched the lead to 5-0 before the Cowboys finally broke through to score.
“We’re still lacking intensity but our passing has gotten better,” Gemar said. “The best part is the girls were seeing open spaces and that’s why our passing was better.”
Preeshl was the Mustangs player of the Game, and Magill was solid in the middle, using her skills to dribble past defenders. Stephanie Glenn had five saves.
“We’re passing a lot better and everyone is seeing the field better,” Preeshl said. “We’ve got strong outside players and those on the weak side are really stepping up when they get the ball there.”
Nevertheless, Preeshl sounded much like Gemar as she assessed the game as a whole.
“I think we came out in the first half and did what we wanted to do,” Preeshl said. “Our intensity was great. Then in the second half we were flat because we were ahead. We should have kept playing as hard but we didn’t. We need to keep it up because we know that when we get to the CCS playoffs the games are going to be close and it will come down to who wants it more.”
GHS begins second-half play Monday at home with Robert Louis Stevenson and the challenge of remaining focused and consistent against teams it handled easily the first time.
