Simon Schmidt netted the equalizer in the 75th minute, and
Austin Jackson drew twine on an exciting drive to the net in the
closing seconds to lift the Bulldogs, 3-2, Tuesday
MORGAN HILL — Sobrato boys soccer could have guessed its first victory of the new year wouldn’t come easily.
Winless in six straight outings, dating to their Dec. 5 season-opening triumph over Pajaro Valley, the Bulldogs had reason to celebrate Tuesday as they went into halftime with a 1-0 advantage over Leland at the rain-soaked Outdoor Sports Center.
But their work was far from finished.
After Jonathan Chavez scored in the 50th and 60th minutes to push Leland in front, Sobrato answered in striking fashion. Simon Schmidt netted the equalizer in the 75th minute, and Austin Jackson drew twine on an exciting drive to the net in the closing seconds to lift the Bulldogs, 3-2.
Sobrato’s focus never changed during the back-and-forth Santa Teresa Division bout.
“I think it might have been the rain,” Bulldogs coach Ricardo Martinez said Wednesday. “They were really fired up. They kept the same intensity the whole way.”
Though Sobrato has savored victory only twice this winter, the team has flirted with a breakthrough, having tied four matches. Martinez hopes Tuesday’s win leads to bigger things for his Bulldogs (2-2-4 overall, 1-1-1 league).
“Right now, they’re confident,” he said. “We needed that to show them if they play hard, they can win any game.”
Sophomore forward Shawn Henner gave Sobrato an early lead when he headed in a corner kick by Kimanni Shannon in the 15th minute.
The Chargers (4-2-1, 1-1-1) capitalized on a foul called against Shannon inside the penalty box. Chavez drove in the free kick, then provided the go-ahead tally on a breakaway 10 minutes later.
Cesar Arellano set up Schmidt’s goal on a cross down the left side. Jackson scored the game winner after playing a ball sent in by Schmidt. Jackson worked through two defenders on the left flank, then threaded the ball over the goalkeeper’s head from about 15 yards out.
Second straight win for Acorns
Goals and wins are coming in bunches now for Live Oak.
The Acorns scored four times in the first half Tuesday on the way to burying San Jose 5-0 to earn a second consecutive victory.
Ubaldo Lopez scored twice and Jesse Hernandez, Ben Hartl and William Gallo once for host Live Oak (2-2-5, 2-0-1).
San Jose (0-3-1 overall) fell to 0-1-1 in West Valley Division play.
