WATSONVILLE, CA — In a matchup featuring the top two teams in the Monterey Bay League-Gabilan Division, rivals Alisal and Watsonville High showed they are tops in a 1-1 tie Tuesday night at Emmett M. Geiser Field.
“It was a great game," Alisal coach Mark Cisneros said. "I’m sure the fans enjoyed it."
Alisal is ranked No. 4 and Watsonville No. 2 in the Prep2Prep CCS Top 25 rankings.
“The intensity level was high on both sides,” Cisneros said. “I’m a little frustrated. I thought we dominated the game, especially towards the last part of the game. (We) generated some one-on-one chances that we should’ve put away, but you know that’s the way the game is. We were happy with our performance.”
After a scoreless first half, Alisal struck first when Mauri Garcia was able to find the back of the net off a cross from Giovanni Calvillo in the 55th minute.
The goal came as a surprise to Watsonville which came into the contest having given up only two goals.
“That was really the first goal scored on us on the field,” Watsonville coach Roland Hedgpeth said. “All the others were on sets or penalty kicks. That happens and it was a on a counter where we didn’t control it right away.”
The Trojans lead was short-lived as just as just four minutes later the Wildcatz answered with a cross of their own as Adrian Arellano found Anthony Orendian who headed it in past Alisal goalkeeper Daniel Lomeli.
“It was amazing I guess,” Orendian said. “It was a good volley. I just saw and it went after it.”
Watsonville (9-0-3, 3-0-1 MBL-Gabilan came into the game red-hot with three straight 3-0 victories over league opponents.
The Wildcatz knew they were going to be taxed against the Trojans.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Orendian said. “Alisal is a good team and the rivalry makes both teams go all out like a CCS final."
Watsonville had 12 shots on goal to 10 from Alisal who came within a Adrian Serrato shot that hit the crossbar in the 73rd minute of snapping the Wildcatz' streak of 35-straight regular season games without a loss.
“It was a tense game. Both teams kept fighting until the end,” Garcia said. “We didn’t give up; neither eam didn’t (give up). We kept fighting and we missed but that’s just how soccer is.”
Both teams are looking ahead to their next matchup when they square off again on Feb. 11 in Salinas.
Even with a tie the Trojans were happy with how they played considering Watsonville is ranked 18th in the nation by www.topdrawer.com.
"They've been the standard for a long time," Cisneros said. "It was big for us to come to their place. "It’s a tough place to play at and get a point. Now we get them at home in a couple of weeks. I’m happy with our performance."
Lomeli had eight saves for the Trojans while Watsonville keeper Cristian Hernandez had seven.
Alisal (8-2-2, 3-0-2) will have a week off before hosting Pajaro Valley on Tuesday at 5:45 p.m.
Watsonville will be just as eager as Alisal for their Feb. 11 rematch.
“I think we could stay with that team any time,” Hedgpeth said. “In fact next time I know we can."
The Wildcatz host Alvarez (5-3-1, 2-1-1) on Thursday at 6:45 p.m.
