Hollister claims Live Oak played with an illegible player
The Live Oak girls soccer team claimed the Tri-County Athletic League title by defeating Gilroy 3-0 at Gilroy Wednesday night despite the cries of “foul” by the Hollister Haybalers.
The Balers have put together one of their best ever seasons, trailing the Acorns by just game to finish second in the league.
Live Oak’s Katie Rentiria, who scored two goals against Gilroy on Wednesday, was absent from school last month when the Balers and Acorns faced each other but still played the game.
Hollister’s coach Michael Shurig overheard Rentiria talking about how she skipped out on school that day and expressed concerns that she would thus be ineligible for the game. That would give Hollister a win and would move the Balers into first place in the league.
“She had an orthodontist appointment,” said Live Oak coach Tony Vasquez. “Her parents forgot to send in the excuse originally, but they sent one in after.”
A player can not become ineligible by Central Coast Section rules for missing class.
“Each school district has its own policies,” said MBL and Tri-CAL Commissioner Elgie Bellizio. “It is up to them to decide how they would enforce it. It differs from school to school and from district to district.”
Live Oak athletic director Dennis Martin said the school has high attendance expectations for the school’s athletes but doesn’t have anything formal in place.
“We wanted her to sit out a game at first,” Martin said. “But we found out it wasn’t a problem. Everything is cleared up now.”
Vasquez said he thought the whole situation was being hyped up way to much.
“If she was ineligible because of grades and I played her that would be one thing,” Vasquez said. “But she has something like a 3.5 GPA. I can’t believe they would make such a big deal over it.”
Live Oak finished off its season against Gilroy. In addition to the two goals, Rentiria scored, Michelle McDonald also scored a goal. Live Oak led 2-0 at the half. In the last meeting, the Acorns won 8-0.
“We played horrible,” Vasquez said. “We missed a lot open shots. Their goalie was in the right spot spot. She probably stopped at least 10 shots on goal. From the first time we played them to now, they have definitely improved.”
Both Live Oak and Hollister will find out Saturday who they play in the CCS Division 1 playoffs.
“I feel the girls are ready,” Vasquez said. “They’re excited. Five of the teams we played in preseason were first-place teams. I don’t know who we play yet, so it is hard to get prepared. I have a general idea of what out there, and I think we should do fine.”
