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Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009
Golden Valley's Hernandez coming on at the right time, helps soccer team reach Division I semifinal
Hugo Hernandez exited the pitch with about five minutes to play on Tuesday afternoon to a loud ovation from the Golden Valley faithful.
The second the senior midfielder hit the bench, his teammates began plotting.
A Gatorade shower is usually an honor bestowed upon coaches after a big win, but nobody on the field was more deserving of a little celebration than Hernandez.
Merced Sun-Star - Golden Valley's Hugo Hernandez fires in the game's first goal in a 3-1 victory over Lodi on Tuesday afternoon at Golden Valley.
Merced Sun-Star - Lodi's Hobbie Day (10) and Golden Valley's Fabian Bustos do battle for a ball during Tuesday's Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoff game.
He practically willed Golden Valley to victory in his final home match, scoring the game's first goal and assisting on the winner in a 3-1 victory over Lodi in the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs.
The win put GV in the semifinals for the first time in school history prompting head coach Lee Shaw to dub them "the best squad in school history."
GV will face perennial section power Davis on Thursday night at Lincoln High in Stockton.
Davis beat Napa 1-0.
"That was the best game Hugo has played for us all season," Shaw said. "He hasn't had the kind of senior year he's capable of. He plays a lot outside of the school and I think that's hurt him.
"But he was on today when we needed him."
He certainly was.
Hernandez helped provide Golden Valley (17-2-3) a dream start, scoring just 4 minutes into the match.
Showing a nice bit of vision, Elias Ruiz switched a ball from the left wing to an open Hernandez on the opposite side of the pitch.
Hernandez ran onto the ball at full speed, chesting it down to his feet and unloading a shot into the left side of the goal.
Despite the fast start, Lodi's midfield took over the first half from there, dictating the play of the game.
The GV defense stayed calm under the pressure only allowing two shots on goal in the first half.
Shaw let his displeasure be known at halftime.
"We weren't good in the first half," Shaw said. "They're a skillful team that likes to do cutesy stuff on the outside, so we wanted to give them that and focus on defending on the inside.
"We let them have too much possession, though."
GV's second half effort was vastly improved, but Lodi (10-3-6) still equalized in the 53rd minute.
On a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box, Danial Ochoa sent a bending shot in on net.
GV goalie Memo Ramirez got a hand on the ball, knocking it off of the crossbar with a diving effort.
But Lodi's Sandro Santillan was the first to react, pouncing on the rebound and tying the game at 1-1.
Golden Valley needed just three minutes to answer.
Again, Hernandez provided the spark.
Hernandez jostled for some free space at the top left-corner of the 18 as a long pass came in.
He headed a ball into the charging path of striker Matt Hubbard, who flicked a shot past a helpless Lodi keeper.
"I was just looking to finish up my career with a home win," Hernandez said. "We knew we had to keep our heads when they scored and we were able to answer quickly."
Daniel Byrne put the game away in the 67th minute, converting his eighth penalty kick of the season to make it 3-1.
Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Playoffs
GOLDEN VALLEY 3, LODI 1
At Golden Valley
LODI -- Goals: Sandro Santillan; Assists: Danial Ochoa; Saves: Jorge Diaz 3.
GOLDEN VALLEY -- Goals: Hugo Hernandez, Matt Hubbard, Daniel Byrne; Assists: Elias Ruiz, Hernandez; Saves: Memo Ramirez 4.
Halftime Score: Golden Valley 1-0.
Records: Lodi 10-3-6; Golden Valley 16-2-3.
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