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The Golden Valley boys soccer team's fatigue was evident.
Nine games in 11 days had taken a toll on Lee Shaw's squad.
Its legs looked heavy, its anticipation slow and its aggression was at times nonexistent.
The Golden Valley boys soccer team's fatigue was evident.
Nine games in 11 days had taken a toll on Lee Shaw's squad.
Its legs looked heavy, its anticipation slow and its aggression was at times nonexistent.
Merced Sun-Star - Golden Valley's Adan Beccera (18) and Modesto's Christian Razo (23) go up for the ball as Golden Valley's Matt Hubbard heads a shot on goal in the first half of a Wednesday's game at Golden Valley. Hubbard scored two goals as GV won 2-0.
Merced Sun-Star - Golden Valley striker Matthew Hubbard fires a free kick on goal against Modesto on Wednesday. Hubbard scored both GV goals in a 2-0 win.
Merced Sun-Star - Golden Valley goalie Gabe Jimenez makes sure a shot flies harmlessly over the goal. Jimenez earned a shutout.
Still, if Wednesday afternoon's dominant effort against visiting Modesto is how Shaw's kids play when they're tired, imagine how good the team could be with a little rest.
Striker Matt Hubbard scored a goal in each half and GV secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Modesto in its home opener.
"You could see they're a little tired," Shaw said. "Mentally we're not where we'd like to be, and the fatigue is a part of that.
"There's still some work to be done before league starts next Thursday, but this was a good step in the right direction."
GV (2-1-2) dominated the run of play in the first half, but squandered numerous chances.
Modesto (1-1) surrendered nine first-half cornerkicks and GV failed to create a scoring chance out of any of them.
Frustrated, Shaw went to his bench for a spark.
A minute later, junior Cody Golbad provided just that.
Golbad chased down a throw-in from Gerardo Esteva and found himself with lots of space down the left wing.
Golbad feathered a cross into the middle of the 18-yard box and Hubbard half volleyed a shot past Modesto goalkeeper Martin Sanchez.
Sophomore Christian Angulo gave Modesto its two best chances to get back into the match.
The left winger smashed a drive off of the post in the first half and then laid off a beautiful pass for a one-time blast from 12 yards out in the 51st minute.
GV goalkeeper Gabe Jimenez turned the shot away to preserve the shutout. Jimenez made three saves in the match.
Hubbard made Modesto pay for the near miss, putting the game away with a left-footed strike from about 20 yards just a minute later.
"That goal was big for us," Hubbard said. "We gave a lead away twice on Monday because we didn't put in the extra effort we did today to hold onto it.
"Nobody wanted to blow another win, so it was nice to see us respond like that."
BUHACH COLONY 3, JOHANSEN 2
ATWATER -- Jaime Mendoza scored the game-winner in the 77th minute to lift Buhach Colony to a 3-2 win.
Jorge Torres and Fabrizio Chavez scored goals to give BC (4-2) an early 2-0 lead only to see Johansen fight back to tie the match.
With 3 minutes left in the match, BC's Tanner Gleason sent a cross to the 6-yard mark, where Mendoza beat the goalie to the ball and tapped the winning goal in with his thigh.
Goalie Christian Gonzalez stopped five shots for Buhach Colony.
ATWATER 2, PATTERSON 1
PATTERSON -- Juan Madrigal scored two goals on assists from Giovani Espinosa and Manuel Villegas as Atwater improved to 4-2.
Atwater goalie Omar Fuentes turned away three shots.
GIRLS
VOLLEYBALL
HILMAR 3, MERCED 2
Jessica Walley, Mackenzie Souza and Ashlen Wichstrom each recorded six kills as Hilmar squeaked past Merced 20-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-20, 15-12.
Riley Harris orchestrated the Hilmar offense with 21 assists.
Rebecca Garitano led Merced (0-1) with 11 kils. Summer Sanchez added 22 assists and five aces.
