MORGAN HILL – When they weren’t throwing their bodies in front
of skin-reddening shots, goalkeepers Selena Braun of Live Oak and
Lauren Bertero and Sarina Sandoval of Gilroy shouted into the
40-degree air Wednesday at Live Oak High, willing a goal that never
came.
MORGAN HILL – When they weren’t throwing their bodies in front of skin-reddening shots, goalkeepers Selena Braun of Live Oak and Lauren Bertero and Sarina Sandoval of Gilroy shouted into the 40-degree air Wednesday at Live Oak High, willing a goal that never came.
“One more effort right here, girls. Let’s do this,” Braun yelled late in the second half.
The steady play of all three net minders and their backlines accented a scoreless draw that understandably received mixed reactions from both sides.
Yes, it was a shutout, but …
“The goal was to score,” Gilroy freshman halfback Jazzmine Grisby said.
“You always want to win,” Braun said. “It’s kind of a little bit disappointing. I know we worked hard.”
What’s more, the two teams failed to score in their last matches. The Lady Acorns were coming off of a 0-0 tie against their other rival, Sobrato, and Gilroy a 3-0 loss to Monta Vista.
The Mustangs (0-1-1 overall) are still looking for their first goal of the season.
“It means we have to continue to work on little things,” Gilroy coach Jose Hernandez said. “The last two practices, we weren’t our sharpest, and it showed today.
“We have a very young team now, so it is a plus defensively. We’re still not getting the result we want.”
Coach Tony Vasquez, now in his 10th year with Live Oak (1-0-2), put the draw in perspective.
“I think it’s more frustrating for (the players),” he said. “Me, I think it’s early in the season, and … sooner or later, we’re going to have to get it in the net. For them, they’re getting frustrated. You can see it.”
Acorns forward Megan Rauschnot and midfielder Fabi Diaz connected for four one-time shots in the second half, but Bertero was there to stop two of them. Sandoval, who came in after Bertero was injured during a collision in the 46th minute, watched the fourth attempt, a header by Diaz, sail high.
In the final minute before halftime, Diaz knifed a pass through traffic to Rauschnot at the penalty-kick marker. Rauschnot blasted the ball into the crossbar.
The Mustangs had equal chances to win.
In the 43rd minute, midfielder Indra Garcia was awarded a free kick just to the right of the penalty area. The junior lofted a shot that Braun punched over the net.
Three minutes later, freshman forward Cynthia Sanchez sent a through ball to Grisby, who fired from less than 15 yards out. Braun deflected the ball away with her left knee.
The Mustangs host Presentation High School at 6 p.m. Friday.
