If it wasn't so tragic, it would almost be funny.
Doing everything right, playing solid defense, getting the right players in the right spots for scoring chances, Escalon varsity soccer players are clicking on all cylinders except one. They can't put the ball in the net.
"It's just unbelievable," admitted coach Chris Oliveira. "We tied Ripon Christian this week 0-0 and lost to Hughson, 1-0."
Oliveira said it doesn't seem to matter if the Cougars are home or away, they just can't seem to score.
"The frustration level is getting there," he said. "We're trying to keep our heads up."
At Ripon Christian on Tuesday, the varsity boys battled to the 0-0 tie against the Trans-Valley League opponents. Traveling to Hughson on Thursday, they played another tough game, only to lose by one goal.
"I'm happy with the way they've been playing," Oliveira added. "We're getting shots, we just need to finish them."
Junior varsity goalie Julio Farias was called up to the varsity for the action this week and did an outstanding job, said Oliveira, handling the pressure extremely well.
"He played great, he showed a lot of poise for a freshman back there," the coach said. "Against Hughson, one went in but there were two more I thought for sure were in but weren't, he made the saves."
Oliveira said he has also been pleased with the solid play of Alejandro Patino at sweeper.
"Everyone on the team is playing well," he noted. "They're getting open in front of the net...it may be just mental at this point, we have shots going a foot wide, shots hitting the post, if it wasn't so sad, it would be funny.
"We just have to get the monkey off our back."
The Cougars will fire it up again this week, hosting Calaveras at home Thursday, Sept. 23. Game time is 4:30 p.m.
Doing everything right, playing solid defense, getting the right players in the right spots for scoring chances, Escalon varsity soccer players are clicking on all cylinders except one. They can't put the ball in the net.
"It's just unbelievable," admitted coach Chris Oliveira. "We tied Ripon Christian this week 0-0 and lost to Hughson, 1-0."
Oliveira said it doesn't seem to matter if the Cougars are home or away, they just can't seem to score.
"The frustration level is getting there," he said. "We're trying to keep our heads up."
At Ripon Christian on Tuesday, the varsity boys battled to the 0-0 tie against the Trans-Valley League opponents. Traveling to Hughson on Thursday, they played another tough game, only to lose by one goal.
"I'm happy with the way they've been playing," Oliveira added. "We're getting shots, we just need to finish them."
Junior varsity goalie Julio Farias was called up to the varsity for the action this week and did an outstanding job, said Oliveira, handling the pressure extremely well.
"He played great, he showed a lot of poise for a freshman back there," the coach said. "Against Hughson, one went in but there were two more I thought for sure were in but weren't, he made the saves."
Oliveira said he has also been pleased with the solid play of Alejandro Patino at sweeper.
"Everyone on the team is playing well," he noted. "They're getting open in front of the net...it may be just mental at this point, we have shots going a foot wide, shots hitting the post, if it wasn't so sad, it would be funny.
"We just have to get the monkey off our back."
The Cougars will fire it up again this week, hosting Calaveras at home Thursday, Sept. 23. Game time is 4:30 p.m.
