Live Oak moves on from loss to Pioneer
MORGAN HILL — Live Oak goalkeeper Stephan Saade said he and his teammates sat in their locker room for about an hour after their 9-6 loss to Pioneer a week ago.
No one on the Acorns’ roster had ever lost to a Mount Hamilton Division opponent — aside from Leland — during the regular season.
“It was a pretty disappointing feeling,” Saade recalled. “It felt pretty bad. We were just stunned sitting in that locker room. No one said anything.”
No one except their coach. Mack Haines put the loss in perspective during a postgame pep talk, and the Acorns have been back to their old ways ever since.
They highlighted an impressive showing at last weekend’s Polo Fest tournament with a win against Archbishop Mitty, then improved to 2-1 in league play with a 17-4 victory over Santa Teresa on Wednesday.
“Coach really helped us,” senior Cody Coleman said. “He inspired us. He helped us keep our heads up, stay determined and stay disciplined. … Our confidence is back.”
Sophomore Saul Orona scored a half dozen goals to lead Live Oak, and Cody Coleman collected four – plus seven saves in the fourth quarter while Saade played the field. Junior Danny Robinson added three goals and three assists for the Acorns, who jumped ahead 4-0 in the first quarter.
“That was important; we finall put together a decent first quarter,” Haines said. “I was most impressed with our defense tonight. We did a good job pressuring them instead of just letting them pass and move in against us.”
Coleman and Robinson scored two goals apiece in the second quarter as Live Oak built an 8-1 halftime lead. Coleman added a hat trick in the third quarter, and Orona poured in two more goals in the fourth.
Saade stopped four shots on net.
“We’re feeling a lot better,” the senior said. “Our defense was awesome tonight; four goals in four quarters. You can’t ask for much more.”
Jake Schafer, Lucas Kianidehkia, Jeremy Shrader and Armon Keshmiri scored for Santa Teresa (0-3 league).
GIRLS WATER POLO
Lady Acorns still perfect in league
Priscilla Orona totaled six saves, Katie Rick tallied five goals and Marissa Sendejas scored three as Live Oak cruised past Santa Teresa 15-4 in Mount Hamilton Division play Wednesday.
Eight different players scored for the Lady Acorns, who moved to 3-0 in league.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
MP sweeps SHS
In the only local prep sporting event not cancelled because of Tuesday’s storm, Mount Pleasant beat Sobrato 25-14, 25-18, 25-13 in a Mount Hamilton Division match in the Sobrato Main Gym.
Senior middle blocker Kelly Kreulen had nine kills to lead the Lady Bulldogs (2-4).
