Live Oak scores three first-half goals to secure 4-2 victory
over Bruins
Live Oak scores three first-half goals to secure 4-2 victory over Bruins
MORGAN HILL
Two late, second-half goals from Branham’s freshman standout Andy Larson were not enough to catch the Live Oak Acorns on Wednesday as they earned their first Mount Hamilton Division win of the 2007-08 season.
Playing at home, four players scored goals for the Acorns, but everyone on the field contributed to the win.
The Acorns scored two goals early in the game, and maintained the offensive intensity throughout the first half.
“We probably caught them off guard early,” Acorns coach Tony Goble said.
Senior Yrbyn Davis scored the first goal, unassisted to put the Acorns on the board, and five minutes later senior Matt Altamirano had an unassisted goal from about 20 yards out.
“It was probably a keeper mistake that lead to our first goal, but then Matt’s goal took the wind out of their sails,” Goble said.
The Acorns’ third goal came late in the half as the they swarmed and positioned around the Bruins’ goal.
Freshman Jacob Montoya kicked a long shot on goal, but the Bruins goalie came to the top of the box to block it.
In the perfect position, sophomore Juan Huerta headed the bouncing rebound into the net for the Acorns third goal.
“That was just good, simple soccer,” Goble said.
In the second half Montoya went for the long ball again, this time connecting with the back of the net, and extending the Acorns lead 4-0.
Branham stayed determined, however, and, scored twice to give the Acorns a scare.
Larson booted the ball into the upper-left corner of the net, past the outstretched arms of Huerta, who switched from forward to goal keeper for the Acorns to spell freshman Dalton VandenBrandHornige.
Only a few minutes later, assisted by Matt Kastner, Larson snuck another one past Huerta to cut the Acorns lead to 4-2, but the Bruins’ scoring ended there.
Huerta, who played goal keeper on the Acorns JV team last year, made numerous saves Wednesday to maintain Live Oak’s lead.
“I’ve played goalie for about five years, and I just give it everything and play hard,” Huerta said. “My main goal is to be champions.”
At 2-3-1 overall and 1-0-1 in their division, the Acorns will have to rely on the strong play of their sophomores and freshman to become champions.
“We had six freshman on the field in the second half,” Goble said. “[Branham] outplayed us overall, and two of our goals were a little flukey. Our guys got a little tired down the stretch and Branham capitalized on it.”
Goble singled out freshman forward Alex Quintana as the standout of the game for Live Oak.
“As a forward Alex doesn’t have the breakaway speed, but he has great soccer knowledge and he knows how to pass,” Goble said. “He played basic, simple soccer on top, and he’s very unselfish.”
Unimpressed with the effort some of his seniors gave, Goble praised Quintana’s, and other freshmen’s willingness to listen and be coached.
“Some of the older guys who have been here and have the experience want to do things their way,” Goble said. “But freshman will do exactly what you want them to do.”
When asked how it felt to be recognized for his performance and contribution to the win, Quintana said it’s special.
“It’s pretty hard on varsity, but we just play hard everyday,” Quintana said. “I do everything I can out there, but mostly I connect the passes.”
