TRACY — Sierra’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoff opener against eighth-seeded Tracy on Tuesday was another opportunity for the young Timberwolves to continue their development.
With a powerhouse awaiting the winner, No. 9 Sierra dominated 7-2 on at West’s Pinkie Phillips Aquatic Center while working on new things on both ends of the pool.
The two-time reigning Valley Oak League champion shut out the Bulldogs (17-5) in three quarters and was comfortably ahead after taking an early 4-0 lead. Tracy did not score for the first 9 ½ minutes, and senior goalkeeper Ella Wright racked up eight saves.
“I told my girls to really just stay patient,” Sierra coach Lauen Koury said. “We’ve been working on IQ all year long, so really, just kind of reading where the ball goes, knowing who’s their threats, how we shut it down and stop their movements. So, I thought they played really, really smart and deserved that defensive win.”
On the attacking end, Sierra (19-10) cooled off considerably after scoring four goals in the opening period. Tracy goalie Alana Placido had much to do with that, finishing with seven saves including five in the third when the Timberwolves were blanked on the scoresheet. She also blocked a penalty shot late in the second quarter to keep the deficit at 6-1 by halftime.
“I think we just kind of came that deer in headlights,” Koury said. “We are a really young team — the majority of this team is freshmen and sophomores. We were trying to create movement but moving with purpose. If somebody drops off at you, you have to learn to step in and be a threat. Everyone’s a shooter in the pool, everyone is a threat.”
Bianca Fraser, one of just three seniors on the squad, score three goals on four shots to lead the way. She also assisted the first goal of the game to Phoebe Burke, who ended with two tallies. Kiera Ellis contributed a goal, an assist and two steals. Rylee Danel converted a second-quarter goal on a breakaway, and Molly Allen handed out three assists.
With Sierra locking it down defensively, much of the second half was used to work on more dynamic attacks.
“We were trying to create as many opportunities as we could,” Fraser said. “It’s good to have somebody who can just get the ball and score, but we really want to work as a team and pass the ball around, see what’s open and score like that.”
Maggi Stokes had a hand in both of Tracy’s goals, scoring one in the second quarter and assisting Isheeta Ratnani in the third. Giuliana Dennard had a good look at the goal on a breakaway with 1:40 remaining, but Wright denied the attempt.
It only gets tougher for Sierra, as it heads to top-seeded Merced (25-2) on Thursday. The Bears are looking to repeat as SJS Division II champions.
“They’re a great team,” Koury said. “They’ve played together forever, and they’re absolutely amazing. We’re excited to play them, and we’re going to give it our best shot.”
