Shots are rare, but Gilroy takes advantage of opportunity in 1-0
defeat of rival Live Oak
Gilroy – It was evident early in Live Oak’s non-league girls soccer game against Gilroy on Friday that there wasn’t going to be a lot of scoring.
With few shots and even fewer legitimate scoring opportunities, both teams had to look at the situation as being whoever scored first would probably win.
The Mustangs took advantage of their best chance to find the net and earned a 1-0 win over the former Tri-County Athletic League rival Acorns.
“I had the feeling that if we scored one, we could score more,” Gilroy coach Jose Hernandez said. “We liked the way we were playing. We felt really comfortable with the way we were distributing the ball.”
The game was scoreless until the 56th minute when the Mustangs were awarded the game’s first corner kick. Senior midfielder Amanda Bruce fired the kick and it was headed by Ariana Carrillo.
Rahni Giardina had a good look at the goal but couldn’t put the ball on net and when Gilroy got the rebound and reset, Kristi Figueroa fed Bruce and she rocketed the ball into the net.
With five minutes left in regular time, Live Oak had its best scoring chance but couldn’t get a foot on a centering pass and the Mustangs cleared the ball out.
A minute later, the Acorns were awarded their only corner kick of the game but couldn’t direct it toward the goal and Gilroy’s defense was able to prevent any other threats from being mounted.
“It seemed like (the Acorns) were really pushing people up (after we scored),” Bruce said. “I think our defense held them really good.”
Live Oak coach Tony Vasquez liked the way his young team fought and said he was expecting it to be a low-scoring defensive affair.
“It was an ugly game,” Vasquez said. “There weren’t too many scoring chances. It was whoever took advantage of their opportunities. Amanda (Bruce) is a good player on their team and they capitalized on their chance.”
Live Oak was scheduled to resume its tough Blossom Valley Athletic League Mount Hamilton Division schedule this week with games today against Leigh and Friday against Leland but those matches are being rescheduled while the Acorns await the return of some players.
