HOLLISTER
–– The Live Oak Acorns were playing without four players due to
disciplinary issues but still managed to walk away with a 2-1 win
Monday against the Haybalers.
HOLLISTER –– The Live Oak Acorns were playing without four players due to disciplinary issues but still managed to walk away with a 2-1 win Monday against the Haybalers.
“We dodged a bullet,” said Acorn coach Tony Goble. “They were ready to play, and we weren’t.”
Three starters and another player off the bench were not allowed to play because of missing practice on Friday.
“We have rules, regardless of if the playoffs are on the line or not,” Goble said.
Live Oak (10-5-2, 3-1-2 TCAL) is currently in second place in the Tri-County Athletic League behind Gilroy and is closely followed by Palma.
Last time San Benito and Live Oak met, the teams battled to a 0-0 tie. This time, the Haybalers (4-8-2, 1-4-1 TCAL) were moving the ball around consistently and dominating possession after the Acorns dominated the first match.
“Coming to someone else’s field you are always happy to get a win,” Goble said. “I am just not excited. I told the guys at halftime that we were getting our butts kicked even though it was 1-0 us.”
Goalie Nick Rauschnot kept the Acorns in the game. About 20 minutes in, he made three almost imposs-ible saves in a row to force corner kicks before finally punching the ball out.
“They played their normal good game,” said Baler coach Michael Warner. “They are a pressure offense. They have a lot of speed. With their guys out, we were able to make some adjustments and had an easier time.”
With under two minutes left to go in the game, A.J. Battel put in the winning goal off a rebound after a shuffle in front of the net. Battel was playing just his second game this season after an injury.
“He was the difference for Live Oak,” Warner said. “At times, when we had them down, he would be energizing them as a leader and would be wanting the ball. You need a go-to guy like that who can make things work.”
The Acorns got on the board a minute before the half ended. Nick Mott played a ball through the center to Garrett Frechett along the right sideline. Frechett took the ball past the Baler defender, who was looking for an offside call, and took a hard shot to the near side of the net. The ball bounced off the Baler goalie and in.
But the Balers tied the game at 1-1 right after the second half started on a corner kick knocked in by Jorge Lopez.
“Last time they sat back looking for the tie,” Goble said. “This time they played. I knew they could after looking at what they have done.”
The Acorns will be at North Salinas on Saturday for a 10 a.m. game.
