Despite consecutive losses in the Homestead Cup final four
earlier this week, the Live Oak High boys soccer team did establish
itself as one of the top teams in the Central Coast Section.
Despite consecutive losses in the Homestead Cup final four earlier this week, the Live Oak High boys soccer team did establish itself as one of the top teams in the Central Coast Section.
The Acorns (6-5 overall) dropped its semifinal match to No. 1-ranked Watsonville 1-0 on Monday, then lost to top five pick Leland by the same score in the consolation finals on Tuesday.
But Live Oak coach Tony Goble, despite his disappointment, celebrated his team’s performance against the top teams in the section.
“This is the best of the best,” Goble said. “And, we were right with them. We should be top 10 or top 12 in CCS now.”
Goble said his team came out a little flat in both games and struggled offensively.
“As far as our offensive attack, we can definitely get better,” he said. “We have to serve the ball in at angles. It’s a fine line. The only way to beat a good team is to go with the angles because everyone has a good defense at this level.”
Defensively, however, the Acorns showed what hey are capable of, holding off two outstanding offenses behind the play of senior goalkeeper Nick Rauschnot and sophomore Garrett Frechett.
Both players earned all-tournament honors for their play.
Rauschnot was especially impressive against the Wildcatz in the semis, sikngle-handedly keeping the Acorns in the game by turning aside a barrage of shots on goal. Rauschnot made 17 saves on 34 Catz shots in the game.
“Watsonville could have beaten us 8-0,” Goble said. “Nick was incredible. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
Rauschnot was nearly as good against Leland in the consolation finale, according to Goble.
“He made a bunch of great saves — the one that went in just got by him,” Goble said. “Leland was a good team but I thought we had our chances against them.”
Live Oak advanced to the Cup final four with a big 1-0 victory over section nemesis Gunn on Saturday.
The defending CCS Division I champs knocked off the Acorns 3-1 in the quarterfinals of last year’s section playoffs en route to winning the title.
Live Oak went undefeated in the Tri-County Athletic League last season but this year the Acorns will face a challenge from a talented Gilroy team that lost to Watsonville on penalty kicks in the Cup finals on Tuesday.
The finale was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation before the Catz won by converting two of their first three kicks while the Mustangs missed their first three.
