First-year Live Oak keeper Dakota White made 10 saves against rival Sobrato on Monday, but it was the one she didn’t make that might have done more for her team winning 2-1.
In the 43rd minute, Sobrato’s Leslie Cisneros launched a bouncing shot toward the net that found a way under the hands of the Acorn netminder.
That broke a scoreless tie that lasted through the first half and saw spectacular plays on both sides to deny each other a chance at an early lead.
And the Acorns sought to make sure White’s early efforts—and later efforts for that matter—wouldn’t be in vain.
“I thought we weathered the storm in the first half,” said Live Oak Coach Tony Vasquez. “In the first 20 minutes, they took some good, hard shots. Dakota being a new keeper, was very, very nervous. But after giving up that first goal, her focus got more and more (sharp).”
The Acorns immediately went on the attack and saw Brisa Lugo come close to tying the game in the 47th minute, but her point-blank shot went over the crossbar.
Live Oak didn’t have to wait long for the equalizer.
Sarah Jensen got behind the defense and launched a goal in the 53rd minute.
“I was telling the girls a combination play was going to get behind the defense,” Vasquez said.
That’s were the game stood until the 71st minute when Ally Salzwedel launched a shot from the top of the box into the corner of the net for a 2-1 lead.
With Live Oak holding the lead, Sobrato went on the attack and the pressure eventually led to a free kick just outside of the box.
Jessica Gonzalez launched a shot that found its way to the far right corner of the net and that set off a flurry of celebrations on the Sobrato side.
There was just one problem: the kick was an indirect free kick, meaning Sobrato couldn’t score unless it touched another player before going into the net.
Coach Paul Nishimura said the team normally practices plenty of set plays, but that was one that has never come up.
Nishimura was also pleased with the play of his keeper Hazel Sanz, who stopped 10 of the 12 shots she faced.