Kyle Vandenbrandhorninge couldn’t have been set up better for a
rare goal with the varsity Live Oak boys soccer team.
The junior was in position to head home a cross from Ben Hartl
in the second half of Thursday’s 3-1 victory over James Lick. It
would stand as the game-winner goal, only Vandenbrandhorninge
didn’t score it.
“The sun was in my eyes,” he said. “I left a little early, so
the ball got by me. But my brother was there.”
MORGAN HILL
Kyle Vandenbrandhorninge couldn’t have been set up better for a rare goal with the varsity Live Oak boys soccer team.
The junior was in position to head home a cross from Ben Hartl in the second half of Thursday’s 3-1 victory over James Lick. It would stand as the game-winner, only Vandenbrandhorninge didn’t score it.
“The sun was in my eyes,” he said. “I left a little early, so the ball got by me. But my brother was there.”
Chase Vandenbrandhorninge was in the right place at the right time, like he has seemed to be all season. The freshman was trailing in front of the far side of the net, just in case Hartl’s pass went through – “the ball tends to end up there,” Chase said – and buried the ball into the net for his eighth goal as an Acorn.
The older Vandenbrandhorninge had no hard feelings afterward. Chase has assumed the role of Live Oak’s newest goal-scoring phenom, following in the footsteps of Hartl and Alexis Diaz, and his big brother has enjoyed every minute of it.
“Absolutely, I support him in every way,” Kyle said. “He’s a way better player than I am for sure. He’s going to go a long way with soccer.”
Chase seemed slightly uncomfortable when asked how he’s been able to be so successful this season. He normally plays left midfielder for his club, Orchard Valley United, but has made a smooth transition to forward for Live Oak.
“I don’t know what to say. I just try to find empty space, and the ball gets to me,” he said. “It’s a lot more fun (playing forward). I can catch my breath when we’re coming back and sprint down when we come up (on offense).”
Soccer runs deep in the Vandenbrandhorninge household. The eldest brother, Dalton, started at keeper for Live Oak the past two years and is an assistant under LOHS coach Tony Goble. Their father played under their grandfather as a youth.
Humbleness is another family value. While Chase has shown a precociousness that could lead to a career in college, his peers are the ones to be asked about his talent.
“He won’t say he can make it at the next level, but that’s because he’s a humble boy,” Kyle said. “He’s definitely going to play in college. He has the skill for it.”
And the drive.
“I think what makes him good is he puts his whole heart into what he does,” Kyle continued. “Whenever he finishes his homework he doesn’t like to go upstairs and watch TV. He’s always outside kicking the ball around. It’s like soccer’s life for him.”
Goble described Chase as a pleasant surprise after the spindly 5-foot, 9-inch rookie collected his third goal of 2010-11 in a 3-0 victory over Palma on Dec. 16. Goble knew Chase was “good and could become an impact player.” That he has done so in his first year on varsity is reminiscent of how Hartl and Diaz exploded onto the scene in 2010 and 2011. Both players have panned out beautifully; Diaz leads the team in goals, and Hartl in assists.
Diaz smiled when asked if Chase reminds him of himself a from year ago. The two forwards have scored in three consecutive games, including Diaz’s two goals Thursday; one came on a picturesque 20-yard lob shot off an assist by Hartl.
“I’ve been surprised by him,” said Diaz, a junior. “Coming out of eighth grade I knew he was going to be a big factor with the team. He’s one of the big factors for us right now, scoring all those goals. He has a lot of heart.”
In discussing Chase’s impact to the team, Diaz went as far to say his own play has declined, another humble statement from a working-class group. At 2-1-1 (5-1-3 overall) the Acorns once again are vying for a league championship and a third straight trip to the Central Coast Section playoffs. They have remained businesslike, however, since dropping their Jan. 3 league opener, 3-1, to Santa Teresa.
“They actually dominated us in possession,” Diaz said.
“The loss definitely took a toll on us,” Kyle Vandenbrandhorninge added. “But it also kind of woke us up and reminded us that we have to keep working hard because we’re going to play some pretty tough teams.”
Although it is a B conference the Santa Teresa Division can be a meat grinder, given that the teams are evenly matched and the league is guaranteed a single automatic playoff berth. If there is one thing the Acorns have proved the past two years it’s that they work well under pressure – especially with young players who can deliver in the clutch.
“We feel a little pressure to win now,” Chase Vandenbrandhorninge said, “but it kind of feels good.”
