As good as the Live Oak High girls soccer team
’s talented offense is, and it is very good, it may be that the
Acorn defense that is just as responsible for the team’s success
this season.
As good as the Live Oak High girls soccer team’s talented offense is, and it is very good, it may be that the Acorn defense that is just as responsible for the team’s success this season.
Led by senior Bridgette Bonfiglio, sophomore Jamie Hickey and freshman Allison Powers, along with sophomore goalie Andrea Riolo, the defense has put up some pretty incredible numbers this season.
In 14 matches, the defense has allowed a paltry nine goals and has chalked up a total of eight shuouts, including three straight in league.
On Wednesday, Live Oak made visiting Notre Dame its most recent shutout victim, beating the Spirits 2-0 to remain undefeated in league at 4-0.
“Our defenders don’t get the credit they deserve,” Acorn coach Tony Vasquez said. “We only play with three defenders, and for only playing three in the back and with two younger players, they’ve been playing pretty well.”
Live Oak (8-3-3 overall) got on the board in the first half on a goal by Catriona Adam, assisted by Michelle McDonald, for a 1-0 lead.
The Acorns added a goal in the second half by Cobbie Jones, off an assist from Shawna McKeown.
Live Oak has only allowed one goal in four league matches this season.
In fact, the lone league goal came in the first half of the Acorns’ TCAL opener and gave host Hollister-San Benito a 1-0 lead.
That would be the last goal a league opponent would score for the next seven halves.
Live Oak went on to tie up the score at 1-1 and eventually won the contest by a 5-1 score.
Against Notre Dame (2-2 in league, 9-4 overall), Live Oak had numerous chances to blow the game out but couldn’t quite open the flood gates.
“It was such a domination by us but we just couldn’t score,” Vasquez said. “It felt like (we had) 100 shots.”
Next, Live Oak will play at Gilroy on Saturday at 10 a.m., then host Hollister on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Note: On Monday this week, the Acorns beat Leland 1-0 in a scrimmage. Chargers coach John Vasquez is Tony Vasquez’s brother.
