East Union did almost everything it could to keep itself in contention for a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff spot Monday when Kimball visited Dino Cunial Field.
The Lancers just could not get the ball in the back of the net.
Kimball won 2-1 to secure fourth place in the Valley Oak League, and with it the final available postseason berth. A tie for East Union (2-4-3 VOL, 7-10-4 overall) would have been enough to stay alive, but its make-up match with Central Catholic tonight has been rendered moot.
“This is too good of a team not to make playoffs,” EU coach Jason Silva said.
In an otherwise frustrating outing for the Lancers’ front line, Chloe Silva recorded their only goal in the 61st minute to tie it at 1-1.
Dalia Asad Halim scored the game-winner for Kimball (4-4-2, 8-11-2), converting from long range in the 74th minute. The Jaguars also landed the first blow in the 8th minute on Brooklyn Vanderlipe’s tap-in after Halim’s initial attempt bounced off the left upright.
“We made some mistakes (on defense),” coach Silva said. “We didn’t follow up backdoor, and they get a goal in and put us in a hole. We were able to fight back, but we weren’t tracking back, we didn’t step up and just let them dribble in and take and shots. You do that, they’re eventually going to score.”
The game may have been lost much sooner.
Much like they did on a blustery night last Wednesday against rival Sierra, the Lancers came out swinging Monday even as the driving rain began to pummel the field. East Union had three great opportunities in the first five minutes, hitting the crossbar twice.
Kimball then put away the first goal after taking its first two shots of the game.
East Union continued to pour it on over the next several minutes but came up empty-handed on three more great chances. One hit the right post and another was a clear shot on a breakaway that went directly to goalkeeper Kassandra Fuentes (eight saves). Senior midfielder Jenna Campbell set up three of the Lancers’ early opportunities with terrific through balls.
The rest of the opening half belonged to Kimball, which began to piece together dangerous counter-attacking runs. East Union’s attacked slowed to a halt for 20 minutes until the final minutes, when Fuentes intercepted a threatening cross into the goal box and stuffed another 1-on-1.
East Union had more chances in the second half, firing 11 shots and five of them on goal while earning five corner-kick opportunities.
“We definitely dominated from the get-go,” Silva said. “We had our chances. This game could have been blown wide open within the first 10-15 minutes, we just didn’t finish.”
East Union’s season finale starts 6:15 tonight at Central Catholic. The SJS playoffs begin Saturday.
