Hilmar's varsity girls soccer team was coming off a 1-0 stunner over league opponent Modesto Christian on Thursday but failed to pull out that same magic on Friday afternoon after hosting another league opponent in Hughson.
Neither side was able to capitalize on an extremely defensive contest that didn't see much offense from either side.
In the end, no offense was able to break through the back-line or the goalkeepers after their first meeting of the year resulted in a 0-0 draw.
“It's home and we should've taken advantage but we didn't and now it's going to be harder to make this up on the road,” said Hilmar head coach Louie Bettencourt.
Hilmar has three of five games on the road and now holds a 3-1-1 record in the TVL.
Friday's draw is also the first tie of the year for Bettencourt and his 'Jackets.
“I mean we didn't lose so that is an upside,” said Bettencourt. “Of course injuries have hurt us but it's no excuse, we need to step up a little since we are out of shape but it isn't came off a high and we should have been coming out prepared but we didn't play hard.”
Less than 24-hours prior to the start of Friday's game, the 'Jackets had pulled off an improbable victory in dramatic fashion. On Friday, it seemed like the 'Jackets' legs were heavier than any other game.
It didn't help that the team was playing in back-to-back games, three in a four-day span this week.
“No excuses, no disrespect to Hughson either because they played just as good as us and they were very consistent on defense and it was a pretty tight game,” said Bettencourt. “We played very slow, like the girls were out of shape and it showed.”
With four regular starters out due to injuries and the team's star in Sara Theodozio playing injured, the 'Jackets attempted to come away with a goal but nothing seemed to budge against the Huskies of Hughson.
Hilmar only got three shots off for the game, two on target.
Just before the end of a stalemate first half, Hilmar attempted to strike at the goalkeeper but Betzy Chavez and Juliann Machado found it difficult trying to cruise through the defense.
One shot got off just three minutes before the halftime whistle blew.
Just before that, Theodozio checked in at the 32 minute mark.
The injured senior, who was playing with a brace on her right leg, was limited but still saw an open opportunity in the opening minutes of the second half after a 0-0 result within the first 40 minutes.
About 10 minutes into the second half, Theodozio received a pass inside the goalie's box and tried to tap it in but the ball just moved directly at the goalkeeper who made the save.
Hilmar never found themselves on Hughson's 18-yard box again for the remainder of the game and both sides finished their first league draw of the year.
“I told the girls to put pressure on them and take shots in the second half but it was such a slow game for us... very slow,” said Bettencourt. “We didn't shoot well and if you don't shoot then you can't win. We came off such a high and to play how we did, not good.”
Hilmar's next game will be on the road at Riverbank at 4 p.m. Thursday.
