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Sierra edges host EU for Mendiola Classico girls title
Mendiola Classico girls
Sierra’s Zoe Sutton (7) and Patterson’s Melanie Anguiano (8) race for the ball. - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL

It took penalty kicks, but Sierra won the girls portion of the Ervin Mendiola Memorial Classico tournament 1-1 (4-3) over tournament host East Union at Woodward Park.

Zoe Sutton scored the goal for the Timberwolves (6-1), with Kaylee Rodriguez on the assist. Alex Bretao tallied the goal for the Lancers (2-3-1).

Sierra started the day with a 4-0 win over Patterson (2-2-1).

Golden Boot award winner Leslie Reyes notched a goal. Diana Reyes, Abigail Fraser and Rodriguez each posted a goal with Sutton, Hayley Gama and Peyton Duarte each dishing out an assist. Ava Bonilla posted three saves to keep her clean sheet.

“I am very proud of this group of ladies,” Timberwolves coach Manuel Pires said. “Our goal was to win this tournament, and we knew that playing against our rival East Union in the finals would be a hard game.

“Ending up having to go to PKs is how these games can go. I am very happy to get out of there with first place.”

Alex Bretao scored the goal for the Lancers (2-3-1) after East Union opened the day with a 0-0 draw against Bradshaw Christian of Sacramento (2-3-3), with a shutout by Lancers goalie Kadence Rossi.

“Overall, I'm extremely happy with our play in the tournament,” East Union coach Jason Silva said. “The season just started, and we're still trying find our identity. These four games were good for us. We're starting to click and we learn from each game.

“From dropping our first two games of the season to second place here and taking a high-caliber team like Sierra to a draw in regulation, all within a week, is big for our team. We've gained a lot of confidence, and we'll keep building on our strengths to prepare for league in two weeks.”

The Lancers posted a pair of wins on Friday, starting with a 3-1 win over Lodi (2-2-2). Emily Pires posted a brace with Gissel Reyes adding a goal and an assist.

East Union opened with a 7-0 win over Emerald of Dublin (1-3). Bretao notched a brace with Addyson Soulier, Cambrie Souza, Pires and Reyes each adding one goal apiece. Rossi and Makenna Miller combined for the clean sheet. 

After a 9-0 win over River Islands and a scoreless draw with Lodi, the Lancers won the junior varsity championship 1-0 over Sierra.

Aaliyah Betancourt scored the East Union goal and Samantha Serio maintained the shutout.