The Live Oak boys soccer team fell to visiting Evergreen Valley 4-0 Friday.
“I was expecting a physical game. From last year we had a red card and a lot of physical (play),” said Evergreen Valley junior Roy Ortiz. “So I was expecting more physical (play), but it really didn’t come out that way.”
In the 14th minute, Everado Coss scored the first goal. A few minutes later, another goal -- this one by Ortiz -- put Evergreen Valley ahead 2-0.
“It all came from my right mid Adrian Tascano from a shot and the rebound,” said Ortiz. “I just cleaned up the mess and put it back in the net.”
Evergreen led 2-0 at the half.
“Honestly I was just hoping to win. In the first half we could have done better. We were lucky to come out with a win,” said Cougar coach Demba Diallo. “We missed a lot of goals. In the second half we woke up. But that seems to be how our team works.”
Diallo was right. Evergreen was energized and focused in the second half, scoring another two goals. In the 60th minute, Ortiz scored his second goal.
“It was a corner and I was back post. And then I got the ball on the ground and took a shot,” said Ortiz. “It hit the near post and went in.”
The final goal, made by Julien Borceguin, wasn’t scored until the 80th minute.
“I was hoping to be a little bit more competitive,” said Acorn coach Anthony Martinez. “I thought we would get at least a goal or two, but obviously that wasn’t the case. We’re still having trouble creating opportunities for us to score.”
Evergreen Valley (5-0-1, 2-0-0) has played well in both league games and is optimistic moving forward.
“We have a good team and if we keep playing like this we’ll go undefeated,” said Ortiz. “We just got to keep it up.”
Said Diallo: “Live Oak is not an easy place to play. It was a struggle for us to get the ball, so I have to give them credit. Every year we come out here and they fight really hard and they’re very professional about it.”
With seven years of coaching under his belt, Diallo is no stranger to success.
“Every year for me I expect to win. Last year was the least successful season where my team was not in the top two.”
Live Oak (0-4-1, 0-2-0) is still seeking its first league victory.
“I expected us to win, but we got sloppy here and there,” said four-year varsity player Alexis Diaz. “Hopefully we can pick it up from here -- to go out and start getting wins and start working as a team; starting with practice and then carry it out to the field.”
“I think we’ve been a little bit unlucky with some of the calls. We need to get a win so we can get some confidence and the boys can keep their heads up,” Martinez said. “They are getting too far away from us right off the bat. The kids aren’t able to fight back after that with being down. Some of the kids came out a little flat today. I will make some changes in the squad.”
