The San Benito boys soccer team lost a difficult 2-1 match to visiting Sobrato on Tuesday in what was the first game of the season and the first for rookie head coach Ramiro Ramos.
Ramos, who is taking over the helm for Ben Alvarez - Alvarez is currently coaching the San Benito girls varsity team - also coaches the 16U travel team for the Hollister Tremors, which recently won the Delgado League championship and the District Cup, and was promoted to the Class I Abronzino League as a result.
The season opener at San Benito High on Tuesday wasn't as sweet, though.
After the first half saw neither team able to score, the Haybalers went up 1-nil when defender Diego Martinez scored on a rebound from just outside the 18-yard line, Ramos said.
"It was actually off a rebound from the defense," the coach added. "[Martinez] was coming up on the attack and shot it straight in from just outside the box."
Martinez' goal put San Benito up 1-0 with 20 minutes remaining in regulation.
But Sobrato scored two breakaway goals in the final 10 minutes of play, pocketing both the tying goal and go-ahead goal in the waning minutes.
"They pretty much came right down the middle on a counterattack," Ramos said. "They had a pretty fast mid."
At publication, there was no junior varsity coach named at San Benito, and Ramos has been coaching both the varsity and JV teams as a result. Ramos said a JV coach will be named soon, however.
"Today was a very good chance for me to see how they play together," Ramos said. "And they looked pretty good.
"In terms of the whole team, they've got to get to know each other a little bit more."
The 'Balers (0-1) will have another chance to build chemistry on Friday when they host North Monterey County in Hollister at 3:30 p.m.
JV Note:
The San Benito junior varsity team won their match against Sobrato at home on Tuesday, 5-0.
The Haybalers (1-0) will host North Monterey County on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
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Video: Highlights from Tuesday's basketball game
