There is no stopping the Pitman High (2-1) varsity boys soccer team when they are playing comfortable like they did on Tuesday in the Pride’s third Central California Conference contest of the season.
For the second time in three league games, the Pitman Pride notched six or more goals. They traveled to Buhach Colony to take on the Thunder Tuesday after losing to Atwater by a goal in their recent contest.
To avenge their loss, the Pride didn’t just come out and find the back of the net, they were combative with their approach and after a two-goal lead at the half, the team notched five goals in the second half to win it 7-1.
“Every time we lose we learn from it, especially in close games in the final minute like that Atwater game,” said Pitman captain Miguel Galdamez. “This game we just came out and wanted to play the best we could to show we are different and better than what we showed because we know we are better.”
“This game against Buhach on the road is one of the toughest games in league because for some reason we always had trouble here historically, but everyone was ready physically and mentally focused,” said Pitman assistant coach Cesar Mercado.
According to Maxpreps.com, before the game, the Pride had only beaten the Thunder at Buhach Colony once since 2009, compiling an away record of 1-3-3 during that span.
Tuesday was nothing but precision with the Pride.
Although the first half was not necessarily the most controlled contest of the year for the Pride, they managed to find the back of the net twice. First on Ulises Luquin’s goal then Isrrael Lopez struck the second goal on a penalty kick due to a hand ball.
Luquin, who had two goals for the afternoon, notched his second just about 13 minutes into the second half after a Brandon Pineda cross.
Pitman’s offense was just getting started but before doing so, Buhach notched their only goal of the game after a free kick goal from about 19-yards out.
The Pride were not having it and went off, essentially creating over a dozen opportunities in the second half alone.
They went on to strike four unanswered goals—all by different players.
Six different players scored at least one goal for Pitman.
“That’s what we were hoping to do that we are out and not messing around. We want to win it all this year,” said Galdamez who finished with one assist.
The four scorers were Ramsin Larios, Ricardo Casillas, Jason Rocha and Pineda.
With the help of Galdamez and the rest of the roster, the Pride played as crisp of a game as possible and did not let up despite a few open opportunities from Buhach.
“It’s a big win. Helps to build confidence in the players and to win in a situation like this it always helps you for the next game,” said Pitman head coach Oscar Mercado. “In the first half we were relaxed then in the second we capitalized on the chances. It was dynamic soccer.”
“It’s always been one of the goals of the program to play good soccer and having that to lead you into a CCC title which I think is the secondary goal,” Mercado added. “Playoffs is a whole different story.”
Pitman’s run for a league title will continue on Thursday when the team hosts Merced at 4 p.m. Thursday.
