The Sierra High School Timberwolves got a second-half hat trick from striker Jose Gonzalez on Tuesday night to propel them over a pesky Manteca Buffaloes side 3-2 and stay within a game of first-place East Union with just three league games remaining.
“We knew we needed this one tonight,” Sierra coach Joe Pires said. “Credit to them; they came out and pressured us early but in the end we were able to create more chances for a great goalscorer.”
Sierra (7-2 VOL, 9-7 overall) came into Tuesday’s match against a confident Manteca (3-5, 9-9-4) team that had won three of its last four games.
“This team has improved so much,” Manteca coach James Burns said. “They came out and battled from the start and deserved a result. I am just gutted for our seniors to not get a win in their last game against a rival.”
The first half saw both teams feeling one another out with possession close to equal. The first real chance came 20 minutes into the match as Gonzalez found himself one on one with Manteca goalkeeper Alberto Gutierrez, who turned away Sierra’s leading scorer with the first oft his 11 saves on the evening.
“I’ve said it before, but Alberto is the best goalkeeper in the Valley Oak League,” Burns said. “We’ve grown accustomed to him making those stops and keeping us in matches for the three years he’s had the job here.”
Manteca’s best chance in the opening half came after senior midfielder Kevin Mundo crossed a ball into the box that found the feet of Adriel Vega, whose shot was saved by Sierra keeper John Thomson for his lone save on the evening. Both teams went into the break locked up, 0-0.
Gutierrez denied Gonzalez once again from point blank range less than a minute into the second half. Six minutes later great combination play between Aydin Akca and Neddy Ramos got Ramos in space who found Gonzalez in the box who beat the Manteca defender and slotted home the opener past Gutierrez to go up, 1-0.
Four minutes later Sierra got the ball behind the Buffaloes defense to Gonzalez who beat Gutierrez for the all-important second goal.
“Jose was big tonight, but I was extremely happy with the build-up play,” Pires said. “The ball moved around really well, and when you can get one to go, confidence builds and it becomes easier to get those chances.”
Manteca would not go quietly however.
With 20 minutes left, junior forward Julian Oregel crossed the ball into the box to senior striker Jesus Gomez, who beat Thomson with a perfect volley for one of the prettiest goals you’ll see at the high school level to cut the deficit to 2-1.
“I cannot say enough about what Jesus has done for this team and this program,” Burns said. “The guy works incredibly hard, has battled injury all season long and deserves the success he has been finding for us lately.”
Just two minutes later the Buffaloes would get a chance to equalize after a mistake from Thomson gave Manteca an indirect free kick inside the box. Midfielder Kevin Mundo’s shot sailed just over the bar, eliciting sighs of relief for supporters on the Sierra side of the stadium.
With momentum from the missed Manteca opportunity on their side, Ramos would find Gonzalez on a through ball for the hat trick to put the Timberwolves up 3-1 on his 17th goal on the season.
Consistent with their never-die attitude, Gomez would find the end of a long ball behind the Sierra defense with less than two minutes to go to make it 3-2. The referee’s whistle would blow shortly after sealing a big win for Sierra.
Up next for Manteca is a home contest against Patterson on Thursday. Sierra will host Oakdale on Thursday before traveling to East Union next Tuesday in a match that could give them a shot at a share of the VOL title.
