LO ties defending D-I co-champ Presentation
MORGAN HILL
As if the Mount Hamilton Division isn’t a tough enough warm-up for postseason play, Live Oak girls soccer coach Tony Vasquez has penned a challenging nonleague schedule to help keep the Acorns on track to repeat last year’s success.
It picked up Monday at Live Oak High School, where the Acorns earned a scoreless tie against reigning Division II section co-champion Presentation.
The Acorns (1-0-1) looked sharp in their second game this winter.
“Almost all of our girls play club, so we’re trying to get them to play Live Oak soccer again,” said Vasquez, whose team won the Mount Hamilton and advanced to the Division III semifinals in 2009-10. “It’s good to see them have this kind of start.
“Last year, we had a lot of new people. This year, we have (12) returners, so it’s good to get in a groove early. That’s where we are right now.”
Live Oak was coming off an impressive 4-1 opening win over Santa Clara, which finished near the top of the El Camino Division last winter. The Acorns’ talented midfield provided the offense as Tiffany Geer scored twice and Amanda Morgan and Michaela Swensen once.
Live Oak faces another decent test Tuesday at Milpitas and, from there, will be off until the start of Mount Hamilton play. The Acorns open Jan. 4 at Westmont.
The rest of Live Oak’s nonleague slate includes defending Tri County Athletic League champion Gilroy (Jan. 8) and state power St. Francis (Feb. 5), winner of the 2009-10 Division I section title.
“We have some good tests this season, and we’re excited for them,” Vasquez said. “Going as far as we went last year, the girls are hungry.”
Back in the Mount Hamilton, the Sobrato Bulldogs (2-0) have equally high goals in the wake of sacking the Santa Teresa Division crown and reaching the Division II quarterfinals last winter.
Their offense picked up where it left off in a 7-1 opening win over Christopher, as returning starters Marissa Benjamin, Rebekah Inouye and Nika Burnett accounted for three goals and five assists against the first-year varsity program. Benjamin scored twice, and Burnett had three assists.
Sobrato crushed Evergreen Valley 4-1 Tuesday and hosts San Benito on Dec. 14.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Sobrato and Live Oak were still looking for their first wins heading into last night, when the Bulldogs continued nonleague play at Lick.
Sobrato (0-1) lost is opener 46-33 to visiting Oak Grove last Thursday despite receiving 13 points from Pierre Hemphill and a dozen rebounds, two blocks and an assists from Alex Hernandez.
The Acorns (0-3) play their final warm-up before the Gilroy-Bob Hagen Memorial Tournament at 7:30 p.m. today at Santa Clara.
Live Oak continued to struggle offensively Monday against Del Mar, losing 43-27. Kevin O’Rourke had 10 points to lead the Acorns.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Just a reminder, Sobrato hosts Live Oak at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Both teams are going for their first victory.
