The Live Oak boys soccer team will face an unenviable task this
afternoon – facing a private school in the first round of Central
Coast Section playoffs.
The Live Oak boys soccer team will face an unenviable task this afternoon – facing a private school in the first round of Central Coast Section playoffs.
But it may be a little easier with a home game. No. 10 Junípero Serra (9-6-4) has had a solid season in the West Catholic Athletic League, while No. 7 Live Oak (15-1-5) clinched the Tri-County Athletic League title by going undefeated. Both teams have had their share of ties this season.
“We know anyone we play in CCS is going to be tough,” said Live Oak coach Tony Goble. “We just have to be ready. We just are going to go with our regular lineup and try to get balls downs and in. We might make adjustments at the half to try to generate some more offense.”
Anthony Razouk is listed as questionable, and several guys like Andy Cunningham are still a little banged up going in but will still play.
“We have some depth again,” Goble said. “But we all need to play solid.”
Midfielder Orlando Lucero and freshman goal keeper Alex Avila, the brother of Sergio Avila, who is the Acorns leading scorer. It is good experience for them even if they don’t play much, Goble said.
Live Oak had a couple good practices on Saturday and Monday.
“They’re excited and they’re ready to go,” Goble said. “For us to have the home field is a big deal. It is in good shape, and we like to spread the field. It is always nice not to have to travel anywhere. Nice to pull up to school and play. If we have some offense like we had with Gilroy, we should do well.”
If the Acorns win, they will play the winner of the No. 15 seed Oak Grove against No. 2 Gunn game on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Salinas.
