Golden Valley boys remain undefeated
| Friday, Jan 16 2009 01:23 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 01:40 PM
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Abel Hinojosa of Golden Valley gets all wrapped up by Liberty's Jacob Estrada as they fight for the ball during the first half of Thursday night's soccer match at Golden Valley.
This was an important victory, believe it or not.
Golden Valley had beaten Liberty 2-0 in boys soccer Thursday to assert complete control over the Southeast Yosemite League race, but Bulldogs coach Troy Lynch wasn't really paying attention to the scoreboard.
"This was the worst game we've played," Lynch said.
If that's case, the win was even more impressive. Golden Valley (17-0-2, 5-0-0 SEYL) suffocated Liberty (7-4-5, 3-1-1) on the defensive end and created plenty of chances on offense but the Bulldogs left their coach unsatisfied.
"Our strength is usually moving the ball through the middle," Lynch said, "and it just wasn't getting done tonight with some of our leaders. Our guys tonight tried to do too much with the ball."
That was at least in part because of a shift in strategy from Liberty, which sent another attacker forward in an effort to bog down the middle of the field.
It worked for the most part, with Golden Valley unable to put together the long stretches of possession it has become known for.
"I'm disappointed in our physical side of the game and some of our technical stuff," Liberty coach Jay Gore said. "But I was happy with the way we made our adjustments tactically. Our boys really responded well to that."
But since the Patriots' plan was so new -- coach Jay Gore implemented it earlier Thursday -- there was an early miscommunication that led to a quick Golden Valley counter-attack in the 6th minute. The Bulldogs found Eric Chavarin in the box, and he lasered a shot into the corner for a 1-0 lead.
"The kid finished a great goal," Gore said. "We got caught on the counter-attack and had to chase, and they've got speed up top."
Golden Valley had plenty of other chances, hitting the crossbar at one point and several times being stymied from close range by Liberty goalie Eric Garcia -- or missing altogether.
"This is our 12th shutout, so as long as we can put the ball in the net once, we're happy," Lynch said.
The Bulldogs finally struck for the clinching goal with about five minutes to go. This time, Chavarin looped a header over Garcia as the keeper charged.
The victory keeps Golden Valley unbeaten and in line for the top seed in the Central Section Division III playoffs.
But perhaps because GVHS enjoyed that same seed last year and still lost in the championship game, Lynch wasn't ready for any celebration just yet.
"We can't keep making the same mistakes," Lynch said.
"One goal is the league title, but we're looking at the Valley championship also."
