Scoring two big wins this week in Trans-Valley League action, Escalon's varsity Cougars took a 2-1 win off the field at Livingston on Tuesday, then came back strong on the home field and shut out Ripon Christian on Thursday.
"They beat us 3-0 at home earlier in the season," coach Chris Oliveira said of Livingston. "We knew they were good and we probably match up with them worst in terms of our style of play, it usually doesn't work out well for us."
While the Cougars are not out of the playoff race, Oliveira said they are taking each game as it comes, just focusing on the opponent at hand rather than looking at any long term playoff implications.
"We really had nothing to do but focus on the one game," he said.
That strategy worked for the Cougars, though, as they edged out the talented Livingston squad.
Derek Castro got Escalon on the board about midway through the first half with an assist from Saul Plascencia.
"Our goalie, Julio Farias, was amazing," Oliveira said. "He really kept us in it in the first half, that's another confidence boost."
Ricardo Paez scored the second goal for Escalon on a free kick from about 20 yards out.
The host Wolves were only able to get one shot past Farias on the day and Escalon walked off with the win.
"We're playing the game, trying to win it," said Oliveira. "We're finally getting it going a bit, we have a little more confidence."
Against Ripon Christian on Thursday, the Cougars were 3-0 winners. Tony Azevedo put in the first goal on a header, the assist coming from Brian Beeman. That came about seven minutes into the contest. Peter Krumeich made it 2-0 Escalon before the end of the first half, Paez notching the assist.
Beeman tallied in the second half, Paez assisting.
"It was a solid, good effort," said Oliveira. "We're taking them one game at a time, we came out, took them (Ripon Christian) seriously, it was a nice, solid all-around effort."
The Cougars improved to 4-4-1 in league play with the wins. They will host Ripon on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 4 p.m., then go on the road for their final three TVL games of the season.
"They beat us 3-0 at home earlier in the season," coach Chris Oliveira said of Livingston. "We knew they were good and we probably match up with them worst in terms of our style of play, it usually doesn't work out well for us."
While the Cougars are not out of the playoff race, Oliveira said they are taking each game as it comes, just focusing on the opponent at hand rather than looking at any long term playoff implications.
"We really had nothing to do but focus on the one game," he said.
That strategy worked for the Cougars, though, as they edged out the talented Livingston squad.
Derek Castro got Escalon on the board about midway through the first half with an assist from Saul Plascencia.
"Our goalie, Julio Farias, was amazing," Oliveira said. "He really kept us in it in the first half, that's another confidence boost."
Ricardo Paez scored the second goal for Escalon on a free kick from about 20 yards out.
The host Wolves were only able to get one shot past Farias on the day and Escalon walked off with the win.
"We're playing the game, trying to win it," said Oliveira. "We're finally getting it going a bit, we have a little more confidence."
Against Ripon Christian on Thursday, the Cougars were 3-0 winners. Tony Azevedo put in the first goal on a header, the assist coming from Brian Beeman. That came about seven minutes into the contest. Peter Krumeich made it 2-0 Escalon before the end of the first half, Paez notching the assist.
Beeman tallied in the second half, Paez assisting.
"It was a solid, good effort," said Oliveira. "We're taking them one game at a time, we came out, took them (Ripon Christian) seriously, it was a nice, solid all-around effort."
The Cougars improved to 4-4-1 in league play with the wins. They will host Ripon on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 4 p.m., then go on the road for their final three TVL games of the season.
