Live Oak junior Selina Oseguera (1) dribbles the ball on Jan. 29 in the Lions’ 6-0 win over Gridley. Photo by Steven Bryla

LIVE OAK, CA (YSBC) - The Live Oak and Gridley city emotions met in the second half opener of a Westside League matchup on Jan. 29 as the boys and girls programs of both squads split a win for each school.

Boys Match

Gridley 4, Live Oak 1 - The latest installment of this rivalry between two of the top Northern Section powers brought the excitement always as expected.

The quick pass of both teams makes every sudden movement a key moment throughout the match.

Gridley took the early lead in the fourth minute of the match as Bulldogs junior Santiago Gonzales booted home a goal in the top right corner from 40-plus yards out.

Live Oak freshman Santiago Ramirez fights for possession on Jan. 29 in the Lions’ defeat to Gridley. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Bulldogs extended their lead 2-0 in the 22nd minute when sophomore Giovani Garcia put the ball in the back of the net off a rebound.

Both sides were physical like their first meeting on Jan. 13, but they were let to play that way in the first half.

Live Oak got on the scoreboard in the 39th minute as junior Osvaldo Araujo scored on a penalty kick to cut the deficit to half heading into the first half.

During the second half; the physicality intensified and both sides were called multiple times and assessed yellow cards.

The athletes weren’t allowed the same style of play in the second half as it seemed every minute, someone was getting a yellow card.

Gonzales scored his second goal of the match in the 46th minute after senior Jorge Castellanos booted a free kick from midfield for a 3-1 Bulldogs advantage.

Between the 65th and 70th minute, two Lions’ players were assessed their second yellow card and forced Live Oak to play with nine for the remainder of the match.

Gridley senior Jorge Castellanos (7) boots the ball downfield against Live Oak on Jan. 29. Photo by Steven Bryla

Gridley senior Nery Martinez added the final goal of the match following a penalty kick rebound.

Bulldogs head coach Jesse Barajas and Live Oak head coach Dirceo Ramirez expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that the game was rougher in the second half, but could have been prevented if the game was called the same from the opening whistle.

In the victory for the Bulldogs, they maintained their chance at winning the Westside League title.

The Lions were in fourth place in the league standings following the loss.

Gridley’s next match is scheduled at Orland on Tuesday, Feb. 10, while Live Oak is scheduled to host Oroville in their second-to last league matchup.

Girls Match

Live Oak 6, Gridley 0 - Live Oak controlled the game from the opening whistle and defending Northern Section champs continued their dominant league play.

Lions sophomore Elyzaberh Xiong led the game with a hat-trick and juniors Nathalie Gutierrez and Isabella Tinoco each booted a ball into the back of the net.

Gridley had some great attacks, but their winless season continued and were shutout twice last week.

Live Oak junior Isabella Tinoco (9) scores outside the box on Jan. 29. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Bulldogs last goal came against Orland on Jan. 22 and will travel to play the Trojans on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Live Oak will host Oroville on Feb. 10 as they’ll welcome Oroville for senior day and attempt to stay at the top of the Westside League standings

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