Manteca was about 15 minutes away from securing a spot in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinals, but the reigning champion could not hold off host Ponderosa in a 3-2 overtime loss.
The third-seeded Bruins (16-3) of Shingle Springs scored three unanswered goals including the go-ahead in the first of two overtime periods.
“It’s a bummer (to lose) after being up 2-0, but we just competed and did really well against a super good team,” Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg said. “I know the girls are upset and disappointed, but we had a really good season.”
Cameron Silva’s brace had the No 6 Buffaloes (20-4-1) ahead 2-0 at halftime. She broke the ice in the opening minutes and was assisted by Emilee Craighead. She doubled the lead moments before the halftime whistle, firing a rocket from the top of the box.
The Buffs had a shot to put the game away in the middle of the second half but narrowly missed twice in the same sequence. Silva hit the crossbar on a free kick, and a point-blank follow-up was blown wide of the target.
“Things were going good, and in the second half they of course come out more aggressive while we get little more defensive and sit back,” Coenenberg said. “Once they scored that first one there was definitely a momentum change.”
Goalie Marissa Soza finished with 10 saves. Ponderosa heads to No. 2 Christian Brothers on Friday.
El Capitan 3, Sierra 0
The Valley Oak League co-champion Timberwolves (16-5-2) ran into one of the Section’s top goal scorers, terrible field conditions and some hard luck in Merced.
Sierra standout Jocelyn Roa had an early breakaway but was foiled by a heavy touch after bursting past a pair of defenders. Shortly after, Anaya Shelton capitalized on an errant pass to put the fourth-seeded Gauchos (12-3-2) ahead.
Roa had another good look early in the second half but directed the crossed ball from Preeya Singh off the post. The hits kept coming for Sierra, which lost fourth-year starting midfielder Juliana Rodriguez to a leg injury following a hard challenge. El Capitan buried the T’wolves with two late goals.
“I’m sad for our seniors to out with a loss like this,” Sierra coach Manuel Pires said,” but I’m proud of the effort, especially with the field conditions like this. We just didn’t have luck bounce our way; it bounced their way.”
El Capitan next travels to Folsom to face top-seeded Vista del Lago.
DIVISION IV
Pioneer 6, East Union 0
Seventh-seeded East Union (10-8-3) was simply outclassed in Woodland by a team in top form.
The Golden Empire League champion Patriots (14-2-2), the No. 2 seed, won their 12th straight match securing a seventh straight shutout. They host No. 6 Liberty Ranch on Friday.
“Really good team,” East Union coach Jason Silva said. “We didn’t play our best, and they took it to us.”
