Gerardo Romero scored two goals and assisted another in East Union’s 4-1 triumph at Sierra on Wednesday.

It was an important win for the Lancers (7-4-1 league, 9-4-2 overall), who moved into a third-place tie with Manteca in the Valley Oak League standings. Only three teams out of the VOL qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs and two regular-season games remain.

All of the scoring was done in the first half of Wednesday’s crosstown clash at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium.

Romero helped get East Union going by assisting Eric Flores’ goal in the 11th minute. Romero netted his goals in the 17th and 35th minutes, his first assisted by James Rendon. In the 32nd minute, Alejandro Sanchez received a perfect cross from Alex Velasquez to head in his goal.

Sierra made it 3-1 with David Lopez’s own head shot.

“In the first half we played pretty good,” East Union coach Victor Polanco said. “In the second half Sierra pushed us back for a good 20 minutes but we were able to hold them. It was an intense game.”

East Union goalies Bryce Lew and Jose Modesto combined for nine saves. The Lancers head to Kimball on Monday before hosting Manteca on Oct. 29 for the VOL finale.

“It’s going to be an interesting last two games,” Polanco said. “We’re going to fight until the end.”

Lathrop 6,
Central Catholic 2

In Modesto, the Spartans (3-8-1, 10-12-2) fully dominated despite missing two starters to yellow-card accumulations.

Jose Castellanos and Daniel Lizcano provided two goals each, with Sergio Carrillo and Estevan Lopez adding one apiece. Andres Basulto contributed two assists.

“We needed this game and hopefully we take the momentum into next week against Manteca and Kimball,” Lathrop coach Alfredo Reynaga said.