Holly Hopwood got the ball along the left side of the field and immediately cut across to avoid the Pioneer defenders who were crashing to her.
As she went across the box from left to right—and nearly tripping over her own feet along the way—she managed to get an awkward looking shot off that was just crazy enough to work.
The ball sailed into the upper right corner of the net just before the ref’s whistle sounded for halftime.
Live Oak went into the break up 2-0 and eventually went on to win 3-0 thanks to a 62nd minute goal from Hopwood to keep the Acorns rolling.
Hopwood has now scored five of Live Oak’s seven goals since beginning Santa Teresa Division play and earned the praise of assistant coach Tony Goble.
“She’s playing at a high level. She’s playing for a club that’s really good so now we’re getting the benefits,” Goble said.
Live Oak faced little challenge against the Mustangs, as the Acorns dominated time of possession and had several great looks at the net that just didn’t quite come together quickly enough to turn into goals.
Still the Acorns found a way and it all came from hustle.
Midway through the first half, Morgan Salzwedel sent a rocket from 30 yards out that the Pioneer keeper stopped, but it came in too hot for her to handle it cleanly.
The ball bounced off the goalie and rolled 10 yards away where only Live Oak players were standing.
Tessa Seda trapped the ball and got a strong shot of her own that the keeper had no chance at stopping for a 1-0 lead.
“Those goals, those were not easy goals,” Goble said. “… That first goal broke the ice. I told her that was huge. I haven’t seen that since I coached the boys, somebody crashing the back post for a tap in.”
Live Oak had more looks in front of the net that Pioneer’s keeper did a better job at stopping, but the constant attacks took their toll.
The Acorns had chance after chance in front of the net and eventually Hopwood came through with her late first half goal and eventual second half strike that she set up in a similar fashion to her first.
Hopwood again went left to right toward the Live Oak bench across the box, wound up her leg and let a sharp grounder through that found the back of the cage.
Live Oak is one of three teams in the Santa Teresa Division who are unbeaten thus far in the season.
The Acorns are 4-0-2 overall (2-0-0 in league play), joining Del Mar (4-0-3, 1-0-0) and Westmont (4-0-1, 2-0-0).
Live Oak has also scored more goals in the last two games (seven) than it had in four games in the nonleague schedule (four).
“(Goal scoring) is something we’ve been focusing on more and more. Our team defending is there,” Goble said. “We’re knocking it better, but our finishing hasn’t been there. So we’re spending a lot of time on shooting drills, different offensive type drills. In every practice the last 30 minutes we’re shooting, so hopefully it’s paid off.”
Live Oak will next host Prospect 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
