Hollister boys soccer sits third in league, eyes postseason spot

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Securing a last-minute 1-1 tie against Monterey High School on Feb. 4, and with three games left in the season, Hollister High School’s boys soccer team remains in contention for a Central Coast Section playoff berth. 

The Balers currently sit third in the Pacific Coast Athletic League Gabilan division with a 3-3-3 league record (4-6-6 overall), behind undefeated Everett Alvarez (9-0 in league) and Monterey (3-3-2 in league).

Hollister coach Greg Bloom said the result against Monterey was important because Greenfield (3-5-2), North Salinas (3-5-1) and Alisal High (2-4-1) are within striking distance of the Balers and Toreadores. 

The Balers were coming off two straight wins, against Palma and North Salinas, before facing Monterey.

“It’s a big jumble,” Bloom said of the standings. “Basically, Alvarez is on top, Palma is on the bottom and the rest of us are squished together.”

He said Hollister can end up as high as second in the standings or as low as sixth, noting that the top four teams make the playoffs.

Having three new starters in a four-player defensive line, Bloom said junior center back Nomar Delgado has stepped up for the Balers.

“He started the season injured and he’s come a long way, and he’s really cleaning up in the back,” he said. 

Bloom said junior goalkeeper Juan Luna has been “awesome,” noting how he stopped four clear scoring opportunities against Monterey.

“He’s undersized, obviously, but he’s so quick,” the coach said. “He saved us today. That was huge.”

Senior midfielder Diego Hernandez also lauded Delgado’s and Luna’s contributions.

“[Delgado] has been solid back there, like, keeping it down,” he said. “And our goalie, too, as well. He’s been making great saves.”

Among the saves was a last-minute chance in which Monterey’s counterattack resulted in a one-on-one against Luna.

“I was hesitating a bit, but I was like ‘I have to do something about it,’ so then I saved it,” the goalie said. “I barely stepped up, stuck out my leg. Once I felt it hit my leg, I knew I saved it.”

The other key player in the game was Hernandez, who took advantage of Monterey’s failed clearing off a set piece to score his first goal of the season with about three minutes left in the game.

“Once I looked, the ball was right in front of me and I just tapped it in with my right,” he said. “It’s an amazing feeling, the first goal.”

Looking toward a Feb. 6 match against Greenfield, Bloom said he expects Hollister to have more possession and hopes to take advantage of the scoring opportunities, unlike the team’s Jan. 15 match against the Bruins which ended in a tie at 2-2.

“Friday is a big task because that’s a team we should possess more, we should get more opportunities and we just have to finish the game,” he said.

Hernandez said scoring has been a challenge throughout the season.

“But we’re on the comeback again and getting points again,” he said. “Hopefully, we get to the playoffs.”

Luna said the team has improved as the season progressed.

“We were setting our mind into the Central Coast Section playoffs and we’re just ready,” he said. 

After hosting Greenfield, the Balers will visit Everett Alvarez on Feb. 10 and host Alisal two days later to finish the regular season.

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.