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In a back-and-forth game, Gavilan men’s soccer scored in the last minute to earn a 3-3 draw against Ohlone College on Oct. 11. It’s the team’s first point in league play.
The Rams, who were coming off three losses to start league play, were losing 3-2 after Ohlone scored on a penalty kick with five minutes left in the game. The Rams pushed to equalize in the last minutes and on the last play of the game, Ismael Hilario Valencia took advantage of Ohlone’s inability to clear a ball inside the penalty box and hit the crossbar before the ball crossed the goal line.
“It’s been a little bit rough,” said Gavilan coach Ivan Bastida on the start of season play. “But they came out with hunger and wanted to defend the home turf and wanted to win.”
Bastida said the result was fair for both teams.
Having been shut out in the last three games, Gavilan looked to start the game with a sense of urgency.
The Rams took the lead in their first scoring opportunity. Juan Pina Diaz took possession of the ball just outside the penalty box. His shot appeared to surprise the goalkeeper who could only watch it pass by near the left post.
“It was great momentum and a confidence boost,” Bastida said.
But Gavilan’s lead was short-lived. Ohlone responded two minutes later on a through ball to Samuel Carrillo that left him alone against the goalkeeper. He calmly tapped the ball to the right side of the goal to tie the game.
“Can’t get more exciting than that to start the game and end the game,” Bastida said.
The Rams continued to create scoring opportunities, primarily on setplays, but the ball kept going on the wrong side of the crossbar.
Winger Oswaldo Huerta of Hollister had one of those opportunities. The ball was sent into the penalty area from around midfield. He got a foot on the ball to change its trajectory but the ball went just above the crossbar.
“We had more [scoring] chances than them,” said Juan Carlos Garcia, midfielder from Hollister. “Unfortunately we couldn’t finish our chances but they did.”
Ohlone took the lead in the 27th minute. A through ball on the right side of the field allowed Erick Arias to take a shot. The goalkeeper blocked the low, crossed ball but the rebound landed in front of Ohlone’s Mario Delagado near the penalty mark to tap it in.
“Most of the opportunities [Ohlone] had, they capitalized on them,” Huerta said.
Ismael Hilario Valencia kicks the ball past the goalkeeper to tie the game in the last play. Photo by Noe Magaña. 
Ismael Hilario Valencia controls the ball near Ohlone’s 18-yard line trying to create a scoring opportunity. Photo by Noe Magaña. 
Adan Serrato San Ramon fights for the ball off a corner kick. Photo by Noe Magaña. 
Oswaldo Huerta had a few scoring opportunities arriving from the left side of the field. Photo by Noe Magaña. 
Defender Ivan Marquez Lara slides for the ball, stopping an attack by Ohlone during the first half. Photo by Noe Magaña.
It was the Rams’ turn to respond. Four minutes later, they did.
Hollister’s Leonardo Herrera made a run on the right side of the field. He centered the ball to Serafin Aguílera Vera who had his back to the goal but set up Pedro Arturo Cruz de Anda’s strong shot near the 18-yard box to tie the game.
Gavilan will look for its first win on Oct. 15 when they play Cañada College in Gilroy. The Rams overall record is 3-7-1.
“Let’s hope we can keep this energy from this tie and bring it to the next game,” said Adan Serrato San Ramon, defender from Hollister.
Rebuilding the program
Bastida is Gavilan’s second head coach in as many years, which comes after three years of not having a program.
Last year, the Rams had an overall record of 12-10 (5-8 league).
Bastida not only faces the challenge of being the new coach, but also starting late. His hiring was announced Aug. 7, just 16 days before the Rams’ first scrimmage, so he missed most of the pre-season practice.
“We’re seeing that against some of the teams that have the preseasons in them,” Bastida said. “They’re faster than us, they’re stronger than us.”
Asked what a successful season looks like for Gavilan, he said he didn’t have a number of wins in mind but wanted to focus on roster retention, which includes 70% freshmen.
He said beyond the field, the priority was academics because he wants his players to transfer to a four-year institution to continue to play and complete their education.
“We’re focused on the big picture,” he said. “Right now it’s learning, growing and developing.”
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