The Sierra Timberwolves defense of last season’s flag football Valley Oak League championship went a long way Tuesday night with a hard fought 13-6 victory over the visiting Manteca Buffaloes at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium.
“Things didn’t really go our way tonight,” Sierra coach Chris Zalunardo said. “It was a rough one offensively, but the defense really stepped up and carried us. It’s not always going to be pretty, but I am proud of how our girls pulled it out.”
Sierra (5-1, 8-5) looked every bit the offense that came into the matchup having averaged over 29 points per game in VOL play in the opening drive of the game. After Manteca (4-2, 9-6) won the coin toss but deferred to the second half, sophomore quarterback Tessa Zalunardo (10 carries, 35 yards) took the Timberwolves 65 yards in 10 plays, capping the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run.
Two plays later, Sierra’s defense would set the tone for how it would play throughout the crucial cross-town rivalry. Senior linebacker Kileyann O'Neill intercepted a pass from Manteca quarterback Lily Dundas, returning it 18 yards for a touchdown to put the Timberwolves up 13-0 just six minutes in.
“I was really excited to make a play for my team,” O'Neill said. “On nights like tonight where things aren’t really going how we want them to offensively, it’s huge when we can make plays as a defense. I have been able to knock down some passes this season, but it felt really good to catch that one and return it for a score.”
O’Neill and the rest of the Timberwolves defense were able to keep Manteca out of their own end of the field for the entirety of the first half. A second interception for Sierra, this time by senior safety Natalie Ruvalcaba, ensured her squad would take the two-score lead into halftime.
Struggling on offense to find a rhythm, the defense for Manteca that came into the matchup having only allowed 18 total points in five league games rose to the occasion and kept the Buffaloes in the game.
“There were definitely some nerves from our girls at the beginning of the game,” Manteca head coach William Riddick said. “After that opening drive, we were able to lock in and play some really good defense that kept us in it.”
Halftime adjustments paid dividends in Manteca’s first offensive possession out of the break. Sophomore quarterback Graciela Torres (44 passing yards) was able to get the Buffaloes into Sierra territory before finding senior wide receiver Keira McCulley for a 34-yard touchdown to cut the lead to, 13-6.
“We are really young at the quarterback position,” Riddick said. “Both girls were able to make some plays, and you saw what happened when we get our receivers the ball in space.”
Both defenses continued to dominate throughout the second half, with the units forcing a combined seven punts after Manteca moved within one score. The Buffaloes got the ball back twice inside of two minutes to go, both times going three and out to end the game 13-6 and ensure Sierra of at least a tie with East Union atop the VOL standings going into their next matchup.
Both offenses will look to have short memories, as Sierra travels across Yosemite Avenue to Manteca for a rematch on Thursday night.
For Manteca, the message is simple.
“We just need to stay the course,” Riddick said. “We’re in a good position, just need to play our game and we’ll look to do that against a good team on Thursday.”
Zalunardo had a similar point for his Timberwolves.
“The message for us doesn’t change game to game,” he said. “We remind our girls to keep their heads in it and eyes on the goal. If we do that we should give ourselves a good chance.”
