TCAL’s last place Sobrato still playing hard; coach Martinez to
miss one game
Morgan Hill – The Sobrato Bulldogs boys soccer team scored in the final six minutes of their game against the Salinas Cowboys at the “Pit” in Salinas to tie the game at 3-3 and avoid their third consecutive Tri-County Athletic League loss.
The Bulldogs (0-6-3, 0-4-3 TCAL) and the Cowboys (5-7-3, 2-3-3 TCAL) also played to a tie when they met earlier this season.
The game was marred by penalties as a Salinas’ player earned a red card for intentionally slamming a Sobrato player in the wall while out of bounds and Sobrato coach Ricardo Martinez also earned a red card for remarking on the calls made by the referee.
The Cowboys were forced to play most of the second half with only 10 players due to the red card ejection and Martinez will not be allowed on the sideline for Sobrato’s match against the North Salinas Vikings at home today.
“It was a pretty physical game,” said Martinez. “We did a good job of maintaining possession and using the width of the field. We were able to penetrate against their (Salinas’) defense.”
The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead 20 minutes into the first quarter as Murilo Almeida shot the ball past the Cowboys’ goalkeeper.
Two minutes later, Salinas tied things up at 1-1 when Francisco Maderos found the back of Sobrato’s net.
With four minutes to play in the first half, the Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead after being awarded a penalty kick. Shibin Tharayil blasted the kick past the Cowboys’ keeper.
“For the most part our guys played with a lot of intensity,” said Martinez. “We’ve come a long way since the season started.”
About 20 minutes into the second half Salinas tied the score on a penalty kick by Maderos. It was also the play on which Martinez was given a red card.
According to Martinez, Salinas took the penalty they were awarded and missed the shot. However, the referee awarded a second penalty kick due to a Sobrato player stepping into the box on the previous kick. The Cowboys converted the second penalty kick and tied the game at 2-2.
“There was pretty bad refereeing in Salinas,” said Martinez.
The Cowboys took the lead with 10 minutes left in the game as Maderos put away the assist by Larry Pinto, 3-2.
Sobrato wasn’t ready to go quietly and with four minutes left in the game, Almeida scored his second goal of the game, tying Salinas at 3-3.
The Bulldogs take the field today against the North Salinas Vikings at home.
While Martinez serves his suspension sitting in the stands, Bulldog assistant coach Jared Racz will be at the helm.
“We’re looking to not get scored as much,” said Martinez. “Hopefully we can bring the same intensity as Saturday. We’ve been playing more consistent as far as intensity level, possession and using the width of the field.”
