East Union ended its streak of postseason defeats Wednesday with a 39-36 win at eighth-seeded Del Campo in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division III opener.
It’s the Lancers’ first playoff victory since 2005, when they knocked off Tracy in the first round. They were then eliminated by Ryan Anderson and eventual Division II state champion Oak Ridge.
Dylan Lee keyed East Union’s defensive gem in Fair Oaks, keeping Javi Sidhu scoreless. The 6-foot-5 Sidhu was the leading scorer for Del Campo (11-18) during the regular season with 20 points per game.
“An unreal defensive effort,” East Union coach Dutch Ell said. “Great team defense all around.”
Lee, a San Jose State signee for football, also had 12 points and six rebounds. Anthony Sy paced the attack with 16 poin.
“I am so proud of our boys,” Ell said. “It was an ugly playoff game that had ups and downs, but when it came down to it, we did not let up.”
East Union travels to Fairfield on Friday to take on reigning champion and No. 1-seeded Vanden (20-9).
Division IV
Twelve Bridges 76, Ripon 55
In Lincoln, the fifth-seeded Raging Rhinos (21-8) broke away with a 22-12 third quarter. Upset-minded Ripon (10-19), seeded 12th, trailed 39-33 at halftime.
GIRLS SOCCER
Division II
Woodcreek 3, Manteca 0
In Roseville, No. 7 Manteca (18-5-5) could not keep pace with the talented No. 2 Timberwolves (14-0-1), who will face No. 3 Del Oro in the semifinals.
Goalkeeper Haylie Brasil racked up 12 saves. Woodcreek was able to withstand pressure from forward Cami Silva, who came into the match tied for the scoring lead in the SJS.
“Cami was able to push them back and create a few opportunities, but nothing that resulted in a goal,” Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg said. “The team played hard and never quit. As a coach, you can’t be upset when the team leaves it all on the field.”
Division III
Ponderosa 6, Sierra 1
Tenth-seeded Sierra (12-7-4) had its hands full in Shingle Springs against the No. 2 Bruins (12-4-4), who stormed out the games and scored five goals in the first half.
Jocelin Roa tallied the lone goal for the Timberwolves, and Annika Beall had eight saves.
Division VI
Stone Ridge Christian 3, Ripon Christian 1
Ripon Christian’s run ended in Merced, as top-seeded Stone Ridge (20-1-2) advances to the title round.
After an early goal from Stone Ridge, Dayna Koolhaas answered with the equalizer teed up by a long throw-in from Taylor Postma.
No. 4 Ripon Christian (19-3-3) believed it had taken the lead later in the half after Shelby Terra’s point-blank shot on a corner kick, but the celebration in the box was short-lived, as the officials ruled that the ball did not cross the goal line.
Stone Ridge regained the lead with a long-distance blast in the opening minutes of the second half, and iced it with a goal off a corner kick. Stone Ridge tangles with No. 3 Summerville for the championship Saturday at 2 p.m.
