On a blustery night Wednesday at Dino Cunial Field, host East Union tallied three goals in the first 12 minutes and added a fourth before Sierra even got on the board in a 4-2 win for the Lancers in Valley Oak League girls soccer action.
The win keeps East Union in the playoff hunt with the Lancers at nine points, Kimball at 11 and the Timberwolves at 12. East Union faces Kimball on Monday and rounds out the league schedule on Tuesday at Central Catholic. If the Lancers win out, they are in the playoffs.
“We were able to jump up and get a couple of goals really fast,” East Union coach Jason Silva said. “And in the second half, we had the wind and we were able to hold on.
“I am just proud of the girls. We knew we had to win this game to stay alive in the playoffs. We have two games left, and if we take care of business we will for sure go to the playoffs.”
Chloe Silva was in on the first three goals for the Lancers (2-3-3 VOL, 7-9-4 overall), scoring the first on a penalty kick, placing a corner kick perfectly for Jenna Campbell to head in for the second and arcing in the third on a direct kick from the deep wing.
“I got lucky on that first one,” Silva said. “The ball went in and out of her hands.
“On the direct kick I just put it up there and I knew my team would be there, but it ended up going in.”
“I got lucky on that first one,” Silva said. “the ball went in and out of her hands.
“On the direct kick I just put it up there and I knew my team would be there, but it ended up going in.”
Kaylee Mejia tallied the fourth East Union goal in the 22nd minute on a shot off of a rebound.
“It came right at me and I fired it back in,” Mejia said.
With nine minutes left in the first half Hailey Cruz got the Timberwolves (3-3-3, 13-6-6) on the board with an unassisted goal and in stoppage time Lindsey Rose assisted Payton Abrew to make the score 4-2.
“When you start the first 10 minutes like we did, that’s not good,” Sierra coach Manuel Pires said. “They wanted it more than we did. They started on fire.
“Toward the last 10 minutes of the first half we made a comeback, scoring two goals and hitting the post, and we got a little closer. And in the second half nobody scored.”
The Timberwolves have secured their playoff berth and host Central Catholic on Monday night at 6:15.
Junior varsity
Sierra 6, East Union 2
Peyton Duarte tallied four goals and an assist for the Timberwolves.
Kaylee Rodriguez added a goal and two assists and Mikayla Mercier chipped in a goal. Ivy Sutton, Kaylee Pimentel and Abigail Fraser each added an assist. Amaya Pacheco made six saves for Sierra.
Giseselle Reyes notched a brace for the Lancers.
