Hilmar and Delhi High varsity girls soccer teams squared off in a non-conference meeting on Thursday afternoon from the Hawks’ stadium and despite an early stalemate, the Yellowjackets of Hilmar managed to notch a pair of goals in each half to secure the 4-0 win.
“I am very pleased. Definitely Hilmar is a better team, but with a little bit more time and effort we are going up and will give everyone a fight,” said Delhi head coach Oscar Zagazeta. “It's just a matter of time before Delhi really gets it together.”
“This wraps up our preseason and we feel like we are where we want to be, but we still have work to do,” said Hilmar head coach Doug Delay. “We played pretty well at times today, it was a little bit for lack of better words, a bit loose at times too, we didn't stay tight together as a team up and down the field, but overall they played very well.”
Hilmar closes out pre-league play with a record of 9-1-5, while Delhi goes to 1-2-1, having already played two league contests.
“We had a couple good matches with Turlock and Golden Valley when we played really well and we have to replicate that every time we hit the pitch,” said Delay. “We didn't play as well as we did against those two teams, but I am still proud of them.”
It took about 15 minutes before a score made it on the board. JuliAnn Machado of Hilmar broke the stalemate after working her way near the byline and then into the attacking third, finally breaking through a pair of defenders and shooting a finesse shot with her heel into the near top post.
The 1-0 lead was extended just two minutes later, when Machado added her second with a shot from about 30 yards out. The ball was hit and goalkeeper Daniela Udave put her hands up, however, the ball powered through the back of the net for the score.
The halftime score read 2-0 with Hilmar leading after the Hawks were able to fend off majority of attacks with the help of their defending stalwart, Emily Salazar.
“I try to get away from the kick ball. Control, pass, move, open, mark, those are the things we are working on daily and the girls are getting the message,” said Zagazeta. “Once they see that we can win with this system they will improve more. I think we are on the right path, very proud of them and the way they played today.”
The young Delhi varsity team consists of just one healthy senior at the moment, and they had five freshmen playing up front for most of the second half.
The Hawks were limited in their attacking opportunities against last year's Division V Sac Joaquin Section semifinalists in Hilmar which had their back-line consistently working on traps and attacking any shots or attackers within the penalty area.
Cheyanne Cabral of Hilmar put her team up 3-0 after scoring a goal just three minutes into the second half.
Hilmar's Betzy Chavez planted the fourth and final goal of the game into the back of the net off a corner kick. Chavez hit the shot to the far post as the ball was gently tucked in.
“Anytime you can score four goals, something has to go right and we did that today,” Delay added. “Delhi is always a good team to play. They play a sweeper, which forces us to be organized, attacking wise, and play possession which is what we want to do. A lot of the other teams as well, looks like the TVL plays that formation a lot, so any time we can work on our short game it’s great. Delhi is a great team and I wish them luck this season.”
“I am very proud of the girls and they are only going to get better,” Zagazeta added.
Hilmar will open up Trans-Valley League play against Mountain House on the road at 5:15 p.m. Jan. 8.
Delhi will next take on Le Grand in a Southern League battle at 5 p.m. Thursday.
