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Ramos sparks Sierra in first-round blowout
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Sierra Highs Ruben Lopez attacks the Colfax defense during first round action of the Sac-Joaquin Section Postseason Thursday at Sierra.

With the box area crammed with more players than could be counted, Sierra High’s Bryan Ramos and Nicholas Gonzalez somehow got cozy, cashing in on a pair of first half corner-kick conversions in Sierra’s 5-1 win over Colfax Thursday in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Championships opener.

The Timberwolves didn’t take long to establish control of the contest, getting it going when Gonzalez found himself on attack in the ninth minute. He didn’t convert on this opportunity, but a corner kick from Ruben Lopez got scraped up by Gonzalez and punched in for a quick 1-0 lead.

Colfax wouldn’t crumble, responding with a goal in the 18th minute for a 1-1 tie. It would be the beginning of the end for the Falcons, as Ramos went up for a Ramos corner kick and pushed a header over the outstretched Colfax goalies head and the rout was on.

“I think we gave up like four or five corners in that first half and anytime you do that the momentum builds for the other team,” Colfax head coach Jim Logan said. “And then you get another one down and it’s just too much. I thought 3-1 at the half, anything can happen; a two goal lead is tough in our sport but it’s not over.

“When they got the fourth one it changes things a bit; it changes our style of play and we get a little further away from how we’re comfortable playing.”

After Ramos netted his first goal he was back at it in the 35th minute, taking his time with his second shot and beating the keeper with ease.

“We’ve worked hard all season and I worked hard all this week of practice,” Ramos said. “I came out and gave it my all and things worked out for me. Our defense really played great, we established our ground and we didn’t let them come into our house and play their game.

“We played our game.”

Erick Noriega and Jesus Rodriguez would add Sierra’s second half scores to round out the victory.

Sierra will reap the benefits of a tournament upset, acquiring the home field advantage in their second round contest after No. 7 seed Galt upset tournament No. 2 seed Placer.  Galt will show up Wednesday for the semifinal showdown, looking to earn a berth into the section final.

“It was a good showing, but there are some goals that we didn’t make that we have to score,” Sierra co-head coach Jose Montes said. “I know that we scored five goals but the easy ones that we didn’t get are the ones we have to have.

“We don’t want to let those goals get away.”