OAKDALE — East Union distanced itself further from the pack in the Valley Oak League thanks to a 2-1 win on Oakdale’s artificial turf at The Corral.

Head coach Edgar Zelaya credited senior Victor Hurtado for getting the Lancers (7-0-1, 12-1-3 overall) out of their “slow and lazy” play in the first half. He ended up scoring a needed insurance goal in the second half after Trent Rivera set him up for a breakaway, but it was his hard-nosed effort that inspired East Union to play better.

“He took the team on his shoulders,” Zelaya said. “He started playing hard and smart and the rest of the team followed. That’s why we won the game, otherwise it we would have lost or tied.”

After a scoreless first half, Victor Amorim broke the ice with a head shot off a cross from Jacob Garcia. Hurtado doubled the lead before Oakdale answered with a penalty kick.

East Union goalie Enrique Garcia registered three saves

“They have a great team and they’re physical,” Zelaya said. “That’s not an easy team to beat at their place.”

The Lancers next host Manteca at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Weston Ranch 3, Lathrop 0

LATHROP — Weston Ranch (2-4-2, 4-8-5) scored three goals — two by Bryant Ortiz — in a five-minute span in the second half to pick up its second VOL win of the season.

Ortiz jump started the barrage in the 58th minute off a feed from Robert Gonzalez and struck again moments later. Mario Martinez capped the scoring spree.

“In the first half we were outplayed and getting beat to every 50-50 ball, but in the second half we played much better,” Weston Ranch coach Francisco Cisneros said.

 The Cougars outshot Lathrop (0-7-1, 4-10-2) 17-8. Freshman keeper Francisco Vega racked up eight saves, while Lathrop sophomore Will Smith had nine.

“We played well for 75 minutes,” Lathrop coach Alfredo Reynaga said. “We controlled the tempo, for the most part. We were so close to playing a complete game but I’m proud of the kids for continuing to play hard and keeping their heads up. Credit to Weston Ranch, they played well.”

Kimball 4, Sierra 2

The visiting Jaguars (2-5-1, 4-7-1) came away with a major upset Wednesday at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium, avenging a previous 4-0 loss to Sierra (7-2, 13-6-1).

David Lopez gave the Timberwolves an early lead in the ninth minute. Eddie Aguilar scored early in the second half to tie it at 2-2. Kimball raced away with the win, going ahead on a counterattack and doubling the lead with a free kick.

Frosh-soph

Sierra 6, Kimball 1

Adib Guedoir blasted four goals, while Mateo Garcia scored the other two in the rout. Axel Rios and Alex Cervantes each contributed a pair of assists.