Despite the threat of rain in the forecast for Wednesday, the
Live Oak High boys soccer team is secure in its chances for a
victory in its Central Coast Section Division I first-round playoff
match at Menlo-Atherton.
Despite the threat of rain in the forecast for Wednesday, the Live Oak High boys soccer team is secure in its chances for a victory in its Central Coast Section Division I first-round playoff match at Menlo-Atherton.
That’s because the Bears feature an “all-weather” turf field that is not only more playable in inclement weather than a grass field but is an easier surface on which to control the ball.
According to Live Oak coach Tony Goble, that’s good news for the Acorn boys, who are renowned for their ball-control style of play.
“Even though we’re on the road, it doesn’t bother me — it’s whether there’s a good facility (that’s important),” Goble said. “We have a pretty good possession team.”
And, No. 13 seed Live Oak, which finished second in the Tri-County Athletic League to Gilroy this season, will need all the advantage it can get against No. 4 Menlo-Atherton, which also finished second in its league — the Peninsula Athletic League’s South Division.
The Acorns (13-6-3 overall, 6-1-3 in league) actually have a better record than the Bears (11-3-6 overall) but Menlo-Atherton plays in an “A”-rated league and thus secured the higher seed.
Live Oak, which is almost completely healthy going into the match, is led by talented senior forward A.J. Battel, who is tied for the team lead in goals with seven despite missing most of the non-league season due to injury. However, team captain Hussein Abdullahi is out for the season with a fractured leg.
The first-round game will be played at 2:30 p.m.
If the Live Oak boys win their first-round match, they would play the winner of the first-round match between No. 5 Bellarmine vs. No. 12 Leigh in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 4 p.m. at PAL Stadium in San Jose. The semifinals will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 24 with the finals on Friday, Feb. 27, both at PAL Stadium.
Last season, the Acorns advanced to the CCS quarterfinals before losing.
The TCAL’s other entry, league champion and No. 3 seed Gilroy, hosts No. 14 Woodside on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
