STOCKTON — A Sierra High goal in the 59th minute of Monday’s Valley Oak League clash at Weston Ranch was the difference.
The Timberwolves (5-1-1 VOL, 9-4-2) held on for the 1-0 victory.
“I thought the first team to the score would win,” said coach Joe Pires.
 That lone goal was initiated in the second half off Alex Mata’s corner kick.
 Junior forward Brayan Nunez emerged from the pack to deliver the score off a header.
For Pires, he couldn’t have designed the play any better than that.
“We had some momentum,” he added, crediting his defense.
The Cougars (4-2-1 VOL, 4-9-3) were in attack mode during action that took place the 53rd minute.
Sierra freshman goalie Luis Acosta backed by his defense thwarted the first wave, coming up with a save and then getting help from Nunez, who cleared the ball with a Scissor kick.
Weston Ranch pressed the attack five minutes later with Acosta delivering with a one-hand deflection.
From there, the Timberwolves turned the tide, capitalizing on their opportunity with a goal.
“It came down to which team made the most of (its) opportunities,” Weston Ranch coach Francisco Cisneros said.
His Cougars also had their chances early on.
Devon Alvarenga was one-on-one with Acosta. The Sierra goalie jumped out to gobble up the save.
The game between the two teams — both came in tied for second place behind East Union — was also intense.
Pires described the action as just that, adding: “Weston Ranch is a good team — it’s hard to beat them at home.”
On defense, the Cougars were led by Kelvin Boateng, Andy Cadis,  Elmer Figueroa, Emson Villa, and sophomore goal keeper Francisco Vega, who had five saves.
Oscar Guitron, Carlos Mendez, and Joseph DeRuyter, who was celebrating a birthday, helped pace the Sierra defense.
“We had some good looks (at the goal),” Cisneros said. “Those missed chances can come back to haunt you.”

Sophomore
Weston Ranch 6 Sierra 5
Junior Bettencourt scored on a penalty kick for the Timberwolves and teammates Kevin Hernandez, Matthew Rico, Andrew Banegas and Adib Guedoir each added a goal.
Guedoir and Efren Castrejon each had an assist for Sierra.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.