Boys’ soccer finds rhythm missing in early outings, beats
Lancers 4-0
Something was missing.
In its first few games, the Gilroy boys’ soccer team generally looked lackluster in scoring a grand total of one goal in a win, a tie and a scrimmage loss to Oak Grove.
“I don’t know why, but we just didn’t feel what we felt last year,” said senior Everardo Diaz De Leon, referring to last season’s run to the CCS title game. “It’s been a little lackluster.”
Then came Thursday.
Nothing was lackluster about Gilroy’s 4-0 home stomping of St. Francis. The Mustangs scored all four of their goals – two by Diaz De Leon – in a stirring 20-minute span in the first half.
Meanwhile, the Lancers didn’t even get a shot off before halftime, and only managed two in the second. Gilroy finished with 11 shots on goal.
“It was a nice message we sent … a convincing victory,” co-head coach Brian Hall said. “Today we played more like Gilroy soccer – more passing, urgency in the attack and showing passion in what we do. Today was the first day we really played to our strengths.”
At least one of those strengths was emphasized in practice Wednesday. Having some early-season trouble finishing off golden opportunities, the Mustangs (2-0-1) spent much of the session on improving in that area.
“The coaches came up with some drills for us to do and I think they helped a lot today,” Diaz De Leon said. “We started to pick it up in a scrimmage at practice (Wednesday) and carried it over to this game.”
Fifteen minutes in, the Mustangs got on the board when Ben Alcantar found Jose Velasquez, who found Marco Aguilar for the goal.
Then came the Diaz De Leon double whammy.
“Evie did awesome today,” Hall said. “His work with the ball and off the ball was excellent.”
At the 28-minute mark, Diaz De Leon connected with an assist from Alfonso Montgalvan and five minutes later, the forward scored again with an assist from Joel Vera.
When Alcantar found Javier Canales for a goal less than two minutes later, the rout was complete – and the Mustang rhythm was back.
“And when we get our rhythm going like that,” Hall said, “this team is pretty lethal.”
St. Francis found out the hard way.
