Morgan Hill – After losing its first game in league play last Wednesday, Sobrato girls soccer coach Stephanie Pearson said her team received a wake-up call.
The Bulldogs responded to the loss with a 7-0 win over San Jose on Friday and look to start another shutout streak.
With the help of Katie Alton’s hat trick and another stellar performance by goalkeeper Katrina Olson, Sobrato improved its record to 10-3-1 and 7-1 in Blossom Valley Athletic League West Valley Division play.
“The girls did really well,” Pearson said. “They looked better than they did against Silver Creek.”
Against Silver Creek, the Bulldogs were held without a goal for the third time this season and ended their nine-game shutout streak. Pearson said her team came out flat in the game, but after the loss, she felt Sobrato was motivated to play better.
“The loss upset them,” she said. “It made them more determined to win league. I wouldn’t say it was a good thing to lose, but it helped us to stayfocused.”
On Friday, Sobrato dominated the first half by scoring six goals and using its speed to stop San Jose from getting many scoring chances.
Alton scored two of three goals in the first half and recorded seven shots in the game. It was her third hat trick in four games.
“Katie is goal hungry,” Pearson said. “Anytime she gets the ball, she goes to the net to score. She has an incredible strike on the ball. It’s a very powerful shot.”
Alton wasn’t the only Sobrato player to show up more than once on the score sheet.
Cecily Nishimatsu had three assists, Laura Angulo had a goal and an assists and Maureen King added one goal and an assist in the win.
Pearson said she was impressed with Jessi Seda’s play against San Jose. Seda had a goal an assist on Friday and recorded two shots on goal.
“Jessi really stepped up,” Pearson said. “She played an amazing game and she’s really coming into her own.”
The Bulldogs will next take on James Lick today. The Comets head into the game with a 5-6 overall record and a 5-3 record in league play.
Pearson said the upcoming game is important for Sobrato and could determine how the Bulldogs fare in postseason play.
“It’s a game we need to win if we have any hope of making it to Central Coast Section,” she said.
