Diana Reyes scored two goals, and fellow freshman Ava Bonilla kept the sheet clean in Sierra’s much-needed 2-0 Valley Oak League win over visiting East Union on Friday.
The Timberwolves (1-2, 13-4 overall) opened league with one-goal losses to Manteca and Oakdale before winter break, and East Union (2-1, 9-7-1) was among the remaining teams without a loss coming into the game.
“We knew this was going to be a battle, because EU came in with good momentum,” Sierra coach Manuel Pires said. “They have a very good team and it was a challenge. I think we created the most opportunities, and we didn’t allow them to get behind the defense. I thought we did an awesome job, and in the second half, we stepped it up another notch.”
Sierra attempted nine shots in each half, while the Lancers were limited to just two total.
Much of the Timberwolves’ looks in the first 40 minutes were half chances, but the ice breaker from Reyes was impressive.
The scoring sequence in the 36th minute started near midfield. Zoe Sutton teed up a negative ball for Maitland Kohoutek, who lofted it deep to the streaking Reyes down the left wing. Reyes ran it down and was able to separate from defender with a step-over and a cut back from the left edge of the penalty box before curling it past EU goalie Kadence Rossi (seven saves) and into the opposite post.
“I didn’t think I was going to make it,” Reyes said. “Guess I got lucky.”
She could have added to her team-high season total of 20 goals.
In the second half, she hit the left post one chance and was denied by Rossi on a breakaway opportunity set up by a through ball from center forward Kaylee Rodriguez.
Reyes completed the brace on the final play of the game, taking advantage as East Union committed numbers forward on a free kick. Sierra won the ball in the box and quickly advanced it with the Lancers vulnerable on the other end of the field. Rodriguez kicked the ball into space for the wide open Reyes, who won the 1-on-1 battle with Rossi this time.
“Those were some great passes on the goals, and you have to hit a perfect ball because their goalie is awesome,” Pires said. “She always keeps them in games.”
Pires had reason to be pleased with the play of his own netminder — Bonilla had just one save but cut down many of East Union’s long-ball attempts. Making her job easier was the veteran back line anchored by Natalie Ruvalcaba and Mikaela Delgado in the middle with Abigail Fraser and Peyton Duarte on the flanks.
The defense did dodge a bullet on what was probably its only mistake of the night. Bonilla had a pass intercepted by Emily Pires early in the second half, but the Lancers’ sophomore forward shot it right back to the keeper.
East Union otherwise struggled to generate much of an attack against the Timberwolves’ sturdy defense.
“It’s been our struggle all year,” East Union coach Jason Silva said. “We’re strong defensively, we’re just struggling to finish. There were very few opportunities tonight, and we couldn’t capitalize. We ended up making some mistakes defensively, but it’s hard to play a perfect game every single time.”
It doesn’t get easier for the Lancers, who host Manteca and Oakdale next Monday and Wednesday, respectively. Sierra is also at home on both days with Patterson and Mountain House visiting.
