Silicon Valley Cup – North Salinas tops Lincoln 4-1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Featuring teams from the Central Coast Section during the winter soccer season in Northern California</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The match featured two teams competing in the Silicon Valley Cup tournament.&nbsp; Tournament venue sites were played at the Santa Teresa and Santa Clara High School fields.&nbsp; The founder/director of the cup is an old-time Bay Area fixture.&nbsp; Luis Comesana, a veteran of 33 years at Homestead and now the Branham Boys Varsity coach, has brought his experience as a tournament director to form the Silicon Valley Cup.&nbsp; I knew Coach Comesana back in the day when I coached the Prospect High School boys team at the Homestead Cup.&nbsp; A lot of players through the years were featured and got the exposure needed to get to the next level, some purely on his tournaments.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Warm-Ups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1999906960951632108?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1999906960951632108?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This match was a Division 1 (A-League) match between North Salinas and Lincoln.&nbsp; In the Central Coast Section (CCS), there are basically 3 levels at the high school varsity level.&nbsp; A-League is the highest, B-League is the middle, and C-Leagues are the lowest.&nbsp; Most leagues only have an A and B, while others just have a top division.&nbsp; I like this format of keeping the competition to its respectful ranks, but every once in a while some lower division teams can compete at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Salinas Up 1-0 at the half</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1999918384658694418?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1999918384658694418?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Salinas was 4-1-1 after this match.&nbsp; Not bad compared to a 5-win season last year.&nbsp; This team has the ability to score in bunches, and they should easily beat last season's record of scoring only 25 goals.&nbsp; The coach mentioned that it was great to have a finisher on the team, as they now had 12 goals in 6 matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln came into the match struggling to get a win.&nbsp; They had an okay year as they came in 3rd place in the BVAL-Mt. Hamilton League (A-Division-Blossom Valley Athletic League) at 7-5-2 and an overall record of 9-8-4.&nbsp; This team has too much talent to not be able to turn their season around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln Ties the match in the first minute of the second half</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1999928619909718110?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1999928619909718110?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams showed the ability to make counterattacks from the backline, but it was in the midfield where North Salinas had its greatest advantage.&nbsp; Their midfielders and outside wingers made the push into the attacking third.&nbsp; During the second half, it was pretty much all North Salinas as they dominated possession and made quality runs at goal.&nbsp; They ended the match with a 4-1 victory, with Roberto Rosales getting a hat-trick on the day.&nbsp; His relentless attack, ability to find open spots in the defense, and top-level finishing skills are what the Vikings are looking for in a finisher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Standouts for North Salinas are:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roberto Rosales - Striker/Forward - 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryan Ochoa - Midfielder - 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emmanuel Vasquez - Goalkeeper - 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benjamin Perez - Winger - 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #1 - Roberto Rosales - Striker/Forward - 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Roberto Rosales","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"North Salinas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6958dac859457"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He got the hat-trick on the day. His relentless attack, while attacking from the corner of the box, angled runs into the 18, and finding open spots in the defense worked to his favor. Roberto took advantage of space and made some incredible finishes on the day. His goals were definitely top-level. I liked how he was relentless on the attack, while making smooth and precise passes to runners in lanes and how he utilized the one-two passes in the attacking third. In those three goals, his team knew where to go and Roberto delivered. He could have easily added 2 or more, but was met by a defensive stop or a pinger off the post. He leads his team with goals and I can't wait to see if he'll be the team leading scorer at the end of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Highlight - Roberto Rosales - Hat-Trick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1999945003989361051?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1999945003989361051?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #2 - Bryan Ochoa - Midfielder - 2027</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Bryan Ochoa","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"North Salinas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6958dac859539"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He was good at dictating the tempo and found players in open pockets. His ability to scan and make quick and decisive passes opened up the Vikings attack. Bryan also worked well in tight spaces and kept the ball moving forward or horizontally to keep ball possession and to create high percentage scoring opportunities. I really liked how he could get his team up the field from a defensive mid to the attacking third in 2-3 touches. His awareness of where and when to slip the ball past the defense was top-notch as it rarely resulted in any off-side calls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #3 - Emmanuel Vasquez - Goalkeeper - 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Emmanuel Vasquez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"North Salinas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6958dac8595ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His shot-stopping abilities were only put to the test in a few occasions. Yet, almost every one of Lincoln's runs at goal was met with a stop or tip. The quality shots on goal were only a few, but Emmanuel provided quick decisions to cut off angles in 1V1's and he commanded the penalty area. His communication skills allowed the defense to keep the attack outside of the 18 for most of the match. I really liked his footwork when playing the ball from the back as he has the skills to play as a defender. Yet, his strength was in positioning and being decisive on when to leave his line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #4 - Benjamin Perez - Winger - 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Benjamin Perez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"North Salinas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6958dac8596a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His ability to win 50/50's along the channel and get by defenders was a sight to see. His quick combo passes to the mid or upline was where he did the most damage. Defenders could hardly match his dribbling skills and quick runs along the edge of the box, while he delivered quality passes into the penalty area. He had at least one assist on the match and he scored the opening goal in the first half. I really liked how he didn't back down when players tried to double team him, as he would either make a move to slip past them or make a quick pass and find an opening to continue with the advance. He also showed the stamina to play touchline to touchline. I seemed to have the go ahead to attack from various spots on the pitch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->