Thirteenth-seeded Sierra battled back from an early two-goal deficit and stunned No. 4 Ponderosa 3-2 on a late volley from Hamzah Niru in the opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs Saturday in Shingle Springs.
Niru’s skillful strike came in the 81st minute. Johan Arroyo capitalized on a poor clearance from the Ponderosa defense and sent it to the right wing for the open Niru, who trapped it high off his chest and lofted it with his left foot to the opposite upper 90 beyond the reach of Bruins goalkeeper Enzo Davis.
It was then left up to Sierra goalie John Thomson and the defense to hold the fort for the remainder of added time, which was stretch to about 8 minutes. Thomson came up with a big save on a corner kick play that involved the Ponderosa keeper, who won the initial header in the air. The second deflection was covered by Thomson on the near post.
The Bruins (11-4-2) threatened again on the final play of the game, a long throw-in to the 6-yard box that Luke Boston got to on the first touch. Thomson was again at the right spot to deny the attempt, and the final whistle was finally blown.
Thomson earlier had highlight stop in the 71st minute when Rocco Stroeve, Ponderosa’s top scorer on the season, had an open look from near the penalty spot after a cross. Thomson blocked it with his left arm and hustled back to his line to keep the ball from crossing.
Stroeve helped the Bruins take the lead 2 minutes in, as he sent an early cross to Colton Wells for a nice finish. Ponderosa doubled its lead in the 34th minute when Caleb Tank was there to clean up after Stroeve’s initial shot was blocked by Thomson.
Sierra (11-7-2) started its comeback charge in the 61st minute. Jose Gonzalez earned a corner kick and quickly played it short to Arroyo, who caught Ponderosa flat-footed with a crack to opposite panel.
The Timberwolves got the equalizer in the 68th minute, earning a penalty kick on a handball following a long throw-in. Neddy Ramos converted from the spot.
Sierra will take another long trip north today, as fifth-seeded Pioneer (16-2-4) awaits in Woodland. The Monticello Empire League champion took care of No. 12 Yuba City, 3-1, getting a hat trick from Omar Ramos.
Division IV
Lathrop 2, Natomas 1 (OT)
All goals were scored in extra time of this near-upset at Bennie Gatto Field.
Top-seeded Lathrop (19-5-2) did not lead until the final minute, when Alan Hernandez headed in a cross from right back Daniel Patino after a free kick. Hernandez was shown a yellow card for removing his jersey in celebration of the goal.
Natomas (12-8-3), the No. 16 seed, broke through in the 86th when Jesus Olguin Guerrero scored on the second ball of a corner kick with a bicycle kick. The Nighthawks held the lead until the end of the first 10-minute overtime.
Lathrop nearly answered two minutes into the second overtime period. Hernandez had his first-time shot on a long ball parried away by the Natomas goalie, and the follow-up from Andres Hurtado-Garcia was deflected away by a defender.
The Spartans took advantage of their chance to draw even two minutes later with a nice-looking team goal. Adrian Montanez centered it to Alex Jauregui, who advanced it to Hurtado-Garcia. Lathrop’s senior striker then nudged it toward the left winger Santiago Ceja with a flick-on header. Ceja settled it for a calm, left-footed finish.
Tonight, Lathrop hosts No. 8 Los Banos (11-8-3), a former Western Athletic Conference rival.
East Union 5, Livingston 0
The state’s leading scorer had his share of highlights for the No. 2-seeded Lancers (22-3-2).
Sophomore striker Yandel Gutierrez had a hat trick, which included a missile strike of a direct kick in the 11th minute. That gave East Union a 2-0 lead. Gutierrez added an assist on the Lancers’ next goal, crossing it far post for a header by Efren Ruiz.
Gutierrez converted a penalty kick in the 28th minute, as the Lancers rolled to a four-goal halftime lead.
No. 15 Livingston (8-10-3) was on its heels from the outset. Senior defender Cristiano Barajas set up the opening goal with a throw-in into the box, and Brandon Escamilla controlled it off the bounce and poked it past the keeper to the opposite post.
East Union returns to Dino Cunial Stadium tonight and welcomes No. 7 Placer (12-5-2) for a quarterfinal.
Division V
Summerville 3, River Islands 0
The 15th-seeded Riptide (10-9-3) was match for No. 2 Summerville (19-0-1), the Mother Lode League champion.
Despite the defeat, it was a successful second varsity season for River Islands, which more than doubled its win total from a year ago. The future is bright, with just four seniors graduating.
Division VI
Ripon Christian 4, Golden Sierra 0
Collin Lecain led the No. 4 Knights with a brace, while Carson Cho and Noah DeBruyn added one goal apiece.
Jack Dooley, Talen Tameling, Ethan Vander Plaats and Aaron Van Hofwegan each contributed an assist. Wesley Vander Woude had just one save, as Ripon Christian maintained pressure on No. 13 Golden Sierra (2-17-1).
The Knights take on No. 5 Bradshaw Christian (8-10-1) tonight.
