The Live Oak girls soccer team has come a long ways since its
5-0 loss to Santa Teresa early in the season.
The Live Oak girls soccer team has come a long ways since its 5-0 loss to Santa Teresa early in the season. Although the Acorns lost 1-0 in a rematch Saturday, the team played with a higher level of intensity.
“It was kind of a measuring stick from the first time,” said Live Oak coach Tony Vasquez. “They were two different teams. I think we improved a lot. We were going in with confidence.”
Judy Coffman, one of the top Santa Teresa forwards put in the only goal of the game midway through the first half. She turned and finished a pass on the ground to the far post from the top of the key.
“In the second half, the girls were really pumped up,” Vasquez said. “I told them we could probably beat Santa Teresa if we could just get one goal. In the first half, they dominated. But in the second half, we took it to them. The second half we played some of our best soccer this season.”
“The biggest change (between the two games) was going in with confidence and not being afraid,” Vasquez added. “Lately we have been doing well scoring goals and playing as a team. They were just playing soccer and not worrying about who they were playing. We are starting to peak, and hopefully we will be ready for the playoffs.”
Live Oak couldn’t get anything in the net despite numerous tries. But the Acorns left feeling good after competing with the best team in the area.
“It was a disappointing loss,” Vasquez said. “But the girls came out with their heads up knowing that that is where we want to be at. We have the confidence.”
Live Oak (8-7-2, 6-0-1 TCAL) may meet Santa Teresa (13-0-4) again in the Central Coast Section playoffs if the Acorns are able to get by the first round.
“Maybe next time we can beat them,” Vasquez said. “If we are going to win the whole thing, we are going to have to beat the best. We definitely want to face them again. The girls understand what we have to do to beat the division champions.”
Live Oak will play at North Salinas on Wednesday. The Acorns banged up (Gina Estrada – broken toe, Jennie Moton – twisted ankle, Janae Pimentel – knee injury from the Santa Teresa game and Cristina Adames – hamstring.)
“We plan to rest a few of the girls and get girls that don’t get playing time in and see what they got,” Vasquez said. “We won 13-0 last time, but we know we can’t go in cocky because anything can happen.”
Live Oak will face third-place Notre Dame at home on Friday. The six seniors on the team will be honored at halftime during that last home game of the season.
Live Oak has recorded wins over Hollister, who is right behind the Acorns with a 5-1-1 record, and against Notre Dame. Hollister and Notre Dame, who play each other one more time, can still over take the Acorns with a combination of Live Oak losing its last three and either team winning its last three.
With three games to go, Live Oak, which is still unranked in the section despite being undefeated in league, has a good chance to win the TCAL title.
