After a three-week layoff and eager to begin defense of their fifth Tri-County Athletic League title, the Gilroy High girls varsity soccer team returned to the pitch for its TCAL opener and hit the ground running. Four different Mustangs registered goals in a 7-0 drubbing of host Alisal on Wednesday in Salinas.
“It was good to finally play a game and begin league,” GHS head coach Jose Hernandez said. “We have timing, movement and anticipation issues to work on still.”
Scoring wasn’t an issue, though. Connie Contreras, Jahkya Tuerillo and Cynthia Sanchez each scored twice and Alexi Slattery had the other. Taylor Slattery (2), Maggie Trigo, Monique Barragan, Morgan Rodgers and Sanchez had the GHS assists. The Mustangs led 3-0 at halftime.
“The girls’ personal desire to improve has been a great motivation,” Hernandez added.
Gilroy (3-4-1 overall, 1-0 TCAL) is on the road against Friday to face Notre Dame for a contest scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m. from Monterey Peninsula College.
• A picture-perfect first half and a 1-0 lead for the Christopher High boys soccer team quickly dissolved into a nightmare of a second half as the Cougars fell 6-1 to visiting North Monterey County in Monterey Bay League action Wednesday.
“I let the team know they played very well in the first half,” CHS head coach Ricardo Espinosa said. “(We) haven’t learned to keep the lead once we have it. That will be our next lesson at practice.”
Uriel Gonzalez converted a penalty kick to lift the Cougars to their first-half advantage. However, after two goals Espinosa felt his team should have prevented made it 2-1, the first-year coach said the “gates opened” as the Condors (10-1 overall, 2-1 MBL) put plenty of distance between themselves and the Cougars.
CHS (1-8-1 overall, 0-2-1 MBL) have a chance for league victory No. 1 on Friday in Seaside at 6 p.m.
• The Gilroy High boys varsity basketball team is also still in search of its first Tri-County Athletic League triumph after a 63-43 loss to host North Salinas on Wednesday night.
The Mustangs (5-10 overall, 0-3 TCAL) have a bye on Friday as they prepare for Palma at home Jan. 18. The Chieftains (6-8 overall, 2-1 TCAL) lost to first-place San Benito on Wednesday.
• The GHS wrestling team improved to 3-0 in Tri-County Athletic League duals with a 58-19 decision over host Salinas on Wednesday night.
