Live Oak pulled into sole possession of first place in the
Tri-County Athletic with a 4-0 win at Hollister on Wednesday and a
5-0 win over North Salinas on Thursday.
Live Oak pulled into sole possession of first place in the Tri-County Athletic with a 4-0 win at Hollister on Wednesday and a 5-0 win over North Salinas on Thursday.
Live Oak (7-6-2, 5-0-1 TCAL) used three goals from sophomore Michelle McDonald to pass Hollister. The Acorns wanted to come out strong after the two teams battled to a tie last game.
“We kept the pressure on and pretty much dominated,” said Live Oak coach Tony Vasquez. “One of our goals was to shut them out and to shut out there leading scorer (Jennifer Vandenberg, who has 45 goals). Michi (McDonald) could have probably have had 50 goals. But it is hard to tell because we never leave her in when we are ahead. I don’t really like running up the scores.”
After going 2-6-1 in the preseason, Vasquez said his club was emotionally drained for the first league game against Hollister.
“We took a beating in the preseason, and our confidence was shattered,” Vasquez said. “We’ve been playing tough teams in preseason, but that showed what we have to do to get there. There is no comparison with the league we play in and the rest of CCS. The teams in San Jose are so much tougher than down here.”
“People say that I teach the girls to play too rough,” Vasquez added. “But we get beat up when we get to CCS. I am just trying to prepare them for that. Looking back in hindsight, I think playing those teams in the preseason was the best thing for us.”
The loss means the Balers (11-4-2, 4-1-1 TCAL) must win their next four games to guarantee second place in the Tri-County Athletic League and the automatic Central Coast Section berth. Three wins and a tie in the Balers’ final game at Notre Dame on Feb. 12 would also do the trick.
“Live Oak was very physical,” said Schurig. “We played physical at first, but not physical enough. We learn from this and be better off for it. Our CCS berth could come down to the last match with Notre Dame.”
The Acorns will also face the Spirits once more on Feb. 7 in what could be the Acorns final obstacle in the way of a league title.
One could sense danger early as the Baler defense looked confused. The ball was dangling outside the Baler box when Live Oak forward Michelle McDonald centered it by Baler goalie Mary Von Urff. Waiting patiently to put it in was Katrina Adam, just seven minutes into the match.
The Balers had only five shots in the first half.
“Hollister plays a more kickball game,” Vasquez said. “That is not our style. We like to work the ball and pass it around. We are more a possession type team. We play the four flat anyways, so we just dropped back instead of stepping up.”
Katie Renteria, who was so effective in the first match between the clubs breaking down the right flank, created trouble for the Balers for much of Tuesday night. Renteria centered to McDonald, who controlled it off her chest and one-touched the bounce off the ground past a stunned Von Urff for 2-0 Live Oak 34 minutes in.
McDonald dribbled past a Baler defender and created another shot from the far right. Von Urff came out and made the save, setting up an Acorns corner.
She took the set play and sent the ball high towards Von Urff, who was guarding the near post. The ball bore in high on Von Urff, who punched at it. The ball went straight up off the top post and into goal, making it 3-0 Acorns in the 40th minute with two of those goals in the final six minutes of the first half. The Balers were not allowed to regroup by the well-drilled Acorns.
“I wasn’t trying to kick it in,” said McDonald about her corner kick goal. “We were trying a new play and I were trying to kick it flat. The ball was in the goal when she hit it.”
“We were pumped for this game,” said McDonald. “Plus, first place was at stake. Hollister’s a good team. They can win the rest of their games.”
“She’s an excellent player,” said Baler coach Michael Schurig of McDonald. “She’s skilled, fast and well-coached.”
Live Oak was the beneficiary of four yellow cards and a red card in the game. Gina Sanders, one of the Acorns top defenders, had to sit out the second half after picking up a red card for physical play. She had to sit out the game against North Salinas on Thursday.
“It’s a tough loss for us,” Vasquez said. “She is a real tough force for us on defense in the back.”
The Acorns were even able to score short handed. Renteria set McDonald up with the Acorns’ final goal. McDonald’s first two efforts were blocked by the goalie, but McDonald found that the third time was the charm as she achieved her hat trick. That follows on the heels of a five-goal performance versus Gilroy last Saturday.
Live Oak defender Janae Pimentel (10) and midfielder Jennie Moton (5) put the clamps on Hollister’s Jennifer Vandenberg (center) and Jenny Maheu and the rest of the Balers to win 4-0 in a battle for first place Tuesday night at Andy Hardin Field. Live Oak wouldn’t let Hollister High escape, wouldn’t let the Balers’ top offensive players have any space and wouldn’t let the Balers get a foothold at the all-important midfield.
Live Oak will play a rematch Saturday with Santa Teresa, who won 5-0 earlier this season.
“We are going to try to use it to measure how far we have come,” Vasquez said. “We will try to make it a little closer and not let them come out as quick as they did last time.
