U14 boys soccer team shakes off 1-0 loss to down DeAnza in 3-1
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MORGAN HILL – The Orchard Valley U14 Boys’ Class I soccer club opened Abronzino (Class 1) League play this past weekend, and split their two games.
Stingrays 0, Mt. Hamilton Lobitos 1
Playing on horrible field conditions, both teams had difficulties maintaining ball possession, as the rock-hard surface of PA Walsh School, continually posed problems. The Stingrays new defense, with Casey Mott as sweeper and Matt Altamirano as left fullback, added to regulars Eric Miller (right fullback) and Kevin Grove (stopper), helped hold down the powerful Lobitos’ offense. The Lobitos, who won the State Cup earlier this year, scored what would prove to be the only goal midway through the first half as their left winger knocked a loose bouncing ball past keeper Ricardo Plata. The Stingrays had many opportunities to tie or even take the lead, as shots from Gerardo Murillo, Murilo Almeida, and Plata just missed the goal in the second half. Second half keeper Kevin Grove made a nice diving save off a free kick to keep the score close. Mid-fielders Bryan Faulk, Blake Presar, Myles Downing, Brendant Palomo and Nick Rodriquez each played solidly to provide the Stingrays scoring opportunities. Late in the game, center mid-fielder Danny Nelson made a run to the goal, but his shot just sailed over the net.
Stingrays 3, De Anza Heaters 1
The Stingrays continued their stellar defensive performance on Sunday, holding the Heaters to less than 10 shots on goal, and continually winning ball possession at the Morgan Hill Soccer Complex. Goalkeeper Plata helped the Stingrays to a 0-0 halftime tie, by stopping all three shots he faced. Mott and Altamirano each had scoring opportunities from the backline, as their runs just missed scores off nice saves by the Heaters’ goalie. Early in the 2nd half, Plata got the Stingrays on the board with a nice chip shot over the goalie, with the assist going to left winger Noel Vera. Almeida made the score 2-0, as Danny Nelson headed him a pass down the right wing and Almeida blasted a shot into the upper right corner of the net. With ten minutes left to play, Vera concluded the Stingrays scoring with their third goal to seal the win. Late in the half, the Heaters found the net, but the Stingrays defense was too strong for the De Anza club, as Mott, Altamirano, Miller, and Rodriquez helped 2nd half keeper Kevin Grove prevent any further scores. The Stingrays will be traveling to Santa Cruz this Saturday to play the SCC Assault, this year’s State Cup runner-up.
