After two years of struggles, the Gavilan Rams’ men’s soccer team has turned things around. Coach Ivan Bastida’s Rams are off to a 2-0-2 start and the defense is shining.
Gavilan opened the season on Aug. 28 down south at Antelope Valley. In a feisty game with six yellow cards, the Marauders scored at the 56:07 mark but Gavilan’s Mekhi David, a Live Oak High grad, found the equalizer at 76:54.
Keeper Yair Arias, a Hollister High alumnus, made three saves to gain the result.
The Rams returned home and drilled Contra Costa 7-0 on Sept. 1. Keepers Arias and Gilroy High grad Isaac Olivares shared the shutout.
Gavilan scored four in the first half and three more after the break. Goals came from midfielder Noel Lira, defenseman Lucas Aguirre, ex-Hollister forward Luis Aguilar, David, midfielder Julias Arrellano, midfielder and Hollister grad Jared Huerta and defenseman Sergio Ramirez.
Three days later, Yuba came to town and it was another Rams’ shutout. The Sept. 4 contest was tied at half and Aguilar scored in the 64th minute for the game-winner.
On the pitch, Gavilan dominated with a 22-4 margin in shots, an amazing 15-2 in the second half. Corners were 5-1 in favor of the Rams.
Gavilan followed that with a 0-0 deadlock against Siskiyous on Sept. 8. Olivares was in goal as the Rams recorded their third straight clean sheet.
Gavilan is back in action on Saturday Sept. 12 with a noon home contest against rival Monterey Peninsula College.
