The Live Oak girls soccer team will face one more major test in
the Tri-County Athletic League when it faces one Notre Dame today
at home.
The Live Oak girls soccer team will face one more major test in the Tri-County Athletic League when it faces one Notre Dame today at home.
Both the fate of Live Oak (9-7-2, 7-0-1 TCAL) and Hollister (13-4-2, 6-1-1 TCAL) will be decided by key matches with Notre Dame (11-5, 6-2 TCAL) to end the season.
Live Oak defeated Salinas 6-0 at Salinas on Wednesday with two goals by Michelle McDonald and Catriona Adam. Bridgett Bonfiglio and Stefanie Curtis also added goals against the Cowboys. Katie Rentiria had two assists, and McDonald, Adam, Amy McGeever and Allison Mutz.
Live Oak, which has allowed just three goals in eight league games, was coming off a 1-0 loss at Santa Teresa. Santa Teresa (13-0-3, 8-0-1 league) is the No. 1 ranked team in CCS and No. 20 in the nation.
“They were stronger team this time,” Saint coach Anna Thomas, who lives in Morgan Hill. “We were slightly different as well. They did play a stronger game. They looked pretty organized, and they were very motivated. Their goalie (Ashley Garcia) had a good game and made some big saves in the beginning.”
Many of the players on the squads know each other from club soccer. Live Oak’s physical game was what kept Santa Teresa at bay, Johnson said.
“They are physically very strong and that hurt us,” Thomas said. “I felt we survived that game. They seem like they know what they are supposed to be doing. I had pretty good amount of respect for them going in, but it was still hard.”
The Acorns were also able to negotiate a lesser quality field.
“At Live Oak, when you pass the ball it goes where it is supposed,” Thomas said. “Our field is like playing against another player.”
Thomas said she thinks there is a good chance to see Live Oak again in the playoffs.
“We are both big schools,” Thomas said. “They always make it to CCS. Three times in year might be to much. We should be almost at full strength when CCS comes around. But we can’t make any excuses.”
Girls basketball
Live Oak was no match for visiting Gilroy Wednesday night as the Mustangs walked away with a 52-30 victory.
The Acorns (5-10, 0-4 TCAL) kept pace with the Mustangs (11-9, 1-3 TCAL) in the first quarter. But Gilroy was able to it use its depth to pull away. Live Oak started off in a 6-1 hole, but came back within 8-7 in the first half. Gilroy led 30-17 at the half.
“We didn’t protect the ball or execute,” Cachopo said. “When we get a team in man, we usually run the ball well. They played hard. We had some great individual efforts.”
Amanda Lytle, a 5-foot-0 guard, had the only basket for Live Oak in the third quarter.
“If some of those second half shots fall, its a different game,” Cachopo said. “We kind of struggled in the 2-3 zone. But we had to go with it because we were in foul trouble.”
Live Oak has struggled this year ever since starting center Katrina Friebel went down with a right knee injury. Friebel received good news in that it would not need surgery. She is undergoing physical therapy and hopes to be back for the last two games. Although, Cachopo said he doesn’t want her to hurt it further and jeopardize her college career. Friebel is strongly considering De Anza College.
Despite missing the leader on the team, the Acorns have played with heart, Cachopo said.
“The spirit is good,” Cachopo said. “They don’t quit. The girls are very close and united.”
