Bulldogs open Amador Classic with win Wednesday
MORGAN HILL — When they weren’t throwing their bodies in front of skin-reddening shots, goalkeepers Selena Braun of Live Oak and Lauren Bertero and Sarina Sandoval of Gilroy shouted into the 40-degree air Wednesday at Live Oak High, willing a goal that never came.
“One more effort right here, girls. Let’s do this,” Braun yelled late in the second half.
The steady play of all three net minders and their backlines accented a scoreless draw that understandably received mixed reactions from both sides.
Yes, it was a shutout, but …
“The goal was to score,” Gilroy freshman halfback Jazzmine Grisby said.
“You always want to win,” Braun said. “It’s kind of a little bit disappointing. I know we worked hard.”
What’s more, the two teams failed to score in their last matches. The Lady Acorns were coming off of a 0-0 tie against their other rival, Sobrato, and Gilroy a 3-0 loss to Monta Vista.
The Mustangs (0-1-1 overall) are still looking for their first goal of the season.
“It means we have to continue to work on little things,” Gilroy coach Jose Hernandez said. “The last two practices, we weren’t our sharpest, and it showed today.
“We have a very young team now, so it is a plus defensively. We’re still not getting the result we want.”
Coach Tony Vasquez, now in his 10th year with Live Oak (1-0-2), put the draw in perspective.
“I think it’s more frustrating for (the players),” he said. “Me, I think it’s early in the season, and … sooner or later, we’re going to have to get it in the net. For them, they’re getting frustrated. You can see it.”
Acorns forward Megan Rauschnot and midfielder Fabi Diaz connected for four one-time shots in the second half, but Bertero was there to stop two of them. Sandoval, who came in after Bertero was injured during a collision in the 46th minute, watched the fourth attempt, a header by Diaz, sail high.
In the final minute before halftime, Diaz knifed a pass through traffic to Rauschnot at the penalty-kick marker. Rauschnot blasted the ball into the crossbar.
“It’s going to take time to be where we want to be, offensively,” Vasquez said. “I told the girls, ‘Don’t worry about it. Keep your heads up.’ I would rather have opportunities to score than not have opportunities to score.”
The Mustangs had equal chances to win.
In the 43rd minute, midfielder Indred Garcia was awarded a free kick just to the right of the penalty area. The junior lofted a shot that Braun punched over the net.
Three minutes later, freshman forward Cynthia Sanchez sent a through ball to Grisby, who fired from less than 15 yards out. Braun deflected the ball away with her left knee.
The Acorns’ backline of Kayla Cisneroz, Syd Barker, Kirsten Doting and Sam Riolo held Gilroy to one shot the rest of the game.
“They gave me a lot of help,” Braun said. “I think we have a strong defense. If we score and keep playing like this, I think we’ll go far this year.”
Lady Bulldogs suffer first loss
Jennae Cambra netted two goals and assisted a score by Bekah Inouye, but Evergreen Valley overpowered Sobrato, 5-3, Tuesday in San Jose, handing the Lady Bulldogs their first loss of the season.
The Cougars moved to 1-1.
Sobrato (1-1-1) has one nonleague match left before its Jan. 5 Santa Teresa Division opener against Lincoln.
BOYS SOCCER
LO falls to SC
Santa Clara built a two-goal lead in the first half Tuesday on the way to blanking the Acorns 3-0.
Looking for its first win, Live Oak (0-1-1) resumes play in the Homestead Cup against Lynbrook on Saturday at De Anza College.
BOYS BASKETBALL
SHS opens tourney with win
Bryan Bradley netted 16 points, and Charley Bynum scored a dozen as Sobrato began the Amador Classic with a 52-48 victory over Dublin on Wednesday in Pleasanton.
Scott Taylor added 10 points for the Bulldogs (2-0), who broke away with a 17-point second quarter.
