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EYES ON THE PRIZE
Doyles late header keeps Sierra in reach of Manteca
SOC--Sierra-Kimball pic 1
Sierras Jadyn Shinn runs toward the ball in front of Kimballs Liaritza Torres. - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL/The Bulletin

TRACY — After a scoreless first half Sierra got an early second-half goal and one late to hold off Kimball 2-1 in Valley Oak League soccer action Monday at Don Nicholson Stadium.

“We didn’t play very well in the first half,” Timberwolves coach Manuel Pires said. “I think our team was too relaxed out there and didn’t really wake up until after we had a talk at halftime. We stepped it up and pretty much dominated the second half.

“We got back in this game and then we gave up a goal. We had to fight like heck to get the second goal and we did. I am really pleased with the way we played the second half.”

With the score tied 1-1 in the 69th minute, Minty Doyle headed in a corner kick from Kyndra Kiser to put Sierra (10-0-3 VOL, 21-0-5 overall) ahead 2-1.

“I saw there was a big gap with no Kimball players in it,” Doyle said. “And I made eye contact with Kyndra.

“I knew that shot had to go in because that was one of our last chances in the game and I knew if we tied that would be so devastating for our team.”

Kiser thought she had to atone for a sub-par corner kick earlier in the game.

“I had a corner kick earlier in the game and that one was terrible,” Kiser said. “I like corner kicks and my coaches called me into do that last corner kick and when I put that ball down I told myself I had to get it.

“I made eye contact with Minty and I kicked it and she got it in. It was flowers and rainbows and roses from there.”

The Timberwolves got onto the board in the third minute of the second half when Annisty Miller got the ball to a streaking Jadyn Shinn who shot an opposite-corner shot for a 1-0 lead. 

“I saw Annisity with the ball and I saw her dribbling,” Shinn said. “I tried to make that diagonal run and I didn’t know if she was going to take it in or give me the ball. 

“She gave me a perfect ball and I took the opportunity and with my left foot I shot it to the far side and I was hoping it would go in.”

Midway through the second half Casey Hamilton scored for the Jaguars (5-6-2, 7-7-7) to knot the score at 1-1.

With six teams vying for four playoff spots and one game remaining, Sierra remains a point behind first-place Manteca. Central Catholic will finish in third and East Union and Oakdale – who tied Monday – are tied for fourth, one point ahead of Kimball. 

 

Frosh-soph

Sierra 4, Kimball 0

Julissa Pimentel had two goals for the Timberwolves.

Nikayla Turner added a goal and an assist for Sierra with Jenny Rivera scoring a goal and Emilee Birg getting an assist.