Lopez scores from six yards out in first half to lift Acorns
past Pioneer, 1-0
MORGAN HILL — In spectacular fashion, Alejandro Diaz and Ubaldo Lopez provided the scoring finish Live Oak boys soccer has waited for all winter.
Diaz played a well-placed ball from Jesse Hernandez in the first half, then crossed it to Lopez for a one-touch goal that lifted the Acorns to their first victory of the season, 1-0 over West Valley Division foe Pioneer.
Thursday’s win also extended a peculiar unbeaten streak.
“That was our fifth game in a row we haven’t lost, but we tied our last four,” Live Oak coach Tony Goble said Friday. “We knew we were close to that first win. We were feeling like we just weren’t finishing.
“It feels pretty good. The guys are excited; this was a good win.”
The Acorns (1-2-5 overall, 1-0-1 league) were in control for most of the match at Live Oak High but missed wide on several shots. Their patience and timing would pay off.
Letting things develop, Hernandez worked the ball outside before finding Diaz in space. After two touches, Diaz sent the ball to Lopez, who fired from six yards out.
“It was just like you draw it up,” Goble said.
The Mustangs (1-2-4, 0-1) struggled to establish any rhythm offensively.
“We had a shutout going. If you keep a team from scoring, all you need is one goal to win it,” Goble said.
Panthers nip Bulldogs 4-1
Reigning Division III section champion Prospect scored twice in both halves Thursday to beat Sobrato 4-1 in San Jose.
Austin Jackson scored off a feed from Miles Mammen in the first half for the Bulldogs, who fell to 1-2-4 overall and 0-1-1 in the Santa Teresa Division.
WRESTLING
Acorns edge Pioneer, move to 2-0
Live Oak is inching toward the top of the West Valley.
The Acorns (2-0 division) took another step toward their first league championship since 1981 Thursday, rallying in the middle and upperweights to win their home-opening dual, 36-35, over Pioneer.
Live Oak dug itself a 24-point deficit in the lower divisions but countered with pins by Tyler Pederson (130 pounds), Cesar Gamboa (140), Tyler Geer (171) and Joe Dorsch (152), who filled in for injured team captain Steven Fernandez, plus Kenny Lee’s victory by 7-5 decision at 145 pounds. Those helped cut the Mustangs’ lead to 29-27.
“The team showed a ton of heart not giving up after the early losses,” Acorns coach Robert Fernandez said in a statement.
Derek Peralta pulled Live Oak within one, 30-29, with his thrilling 11-10 win at 189 pounds. Peralta scored the go-ahead takedown with three seconds remaining.
Down 35-29, the Acorns clinched the win with Erik Poulsen’s forfeit at heavyweight.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pirates sends SHS to 0-2 in league
Two nights after scoring 25 points against Silver Creek, Sobrato’s Pryanka Kumar reeled off 27 Thursday in the Lady Bulldogs’ 57-39 loss at Piedmont Hills.
Still recovering from a sprained ankle, sophomore center Jessica Westall contributed five points for Sobrato (3-9, 0-2 Mount Hamilton Division).
Lady Acorns fall at Overfelt
Jacey Turay netted 13 points, including three 3-pointers, and freshman Fa Saulala scored a dozen Thursday, as the Lady Acorns fell 46-36 to Overfelt in a West Valley contest in San Jose.
Live Oak (2-9, 0-2) was outscored 9-2 in the first quarter but cut the Royals’ lead to 24-16 by halftime.
