Hollister High boys soccer begins league play with sights on another playoff run

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Two games into Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan division play, the Hollister boys soccer team is still in search of its identity. But the Balers, who won a section title two years ago and finished second last year, are still eyeing a spot in the playoffs at  2-2-2 overall, and 1-0-1 in the league.

According to coach Greg Bloom, among the challenges the team is facing are finding consistent clean play by its defense and building a connection between midfielders and the striker to create scoring opportunities. 

Defensively, Bloom said the team is “a work in progress,” as only one player has returned to the starting four line. The team lost five starters from last year. 

“We’ve had some freak goals and we do some strange things,” he said.

Supporting the back line is junior goalkeeper Juan Luna. Bloom said that despite Luna not being tall, a characteristic that is generally present in keepers, he is “really good.”

Bloom also said his senior midfielder Diego Hernandez helps shield the defense by winning possession disputes and has the ability to distribute balls forward.

“He’s really solid,” Bloom said of the third-year varsity starter. He said Hernandez isn’t vocal but leads by example.

On Jan. 10, the defense showed a glimpse of what it could be by shutting out North Salinas with a 2-0 score against a team that was averaging 1.6 goals a game coming into the match. The defense had key last-minute tackles inside the penalty box which prevented shots on goal.

Senior defender Daniel Maldonado said the defense has gotten stronger as the season has progressed and is getting better at communicating and timing defensive runs. 

“We’re still getting to know each other more,” he said.

Hollister emerged from Andy Hardin Stadium with its first league win thanks to two second-half goals by forward Daniel Partrea. 

Bloom said while the team can play head-to-head with the best of squads, it has struggled offensively when it faces one that stacks their players on their own half to defend.

“The main focus from here on out is to improve our creativity,” Bloom said, while noting the 0-0 league opener against Palma on Jan. 5 was a case in point. “We couldn’t break them down so we’re having to struggle playing against people in the low block.”

Hernandez said the result against North Salinas shows the team is working to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

“We’ve been in possession more than the other teams and are having a lot of scoring chances but we just can’t finish. We’ve been working on it,” he said.

For offense, Bloom said striker Anthony Torres is a key player and is trying to find a way the team can set him up to finish plays.

“We don’t get a striker like him that often,” he said. “He’s really good with both feet.”

Bloom called the Balers’ second striker, Partrea, quick and “probably the most athletic player” on the team.

“He’s really good in the air,” he said. “That’s normally how he scores all his goals.”

Partrea showed his full repertoire against North Salinas with his two goals. He broke the deadlock when he cut inside to get by the defender near the left sideline, 30 yards from the goal, and placed his shot on the top right corner.

His second goal came when he tapped the ball inside the 6-yard box following a North Salinas goalkeeper save.

Having won the Central Coast Section Division 2 championship in 2024 and making it to the semifinals the following year, Bloom said the ultimate goal is to make a deep run in the playoffs again.

Hollister travels to Monterey High on Jan. 13.

BenitoLink thanks our underwriter, Hollister Rotary, for helping expand the sports coverage around San Benito County. Rotary is a nonprofit organization that conducts humanitarian projects, encourages high ethical standards, and works toward world understanding. All editorial decisions are made by BenitoLink.