Manteca’s boys soccer team has ended its decade long postseason drought, clinching its spot Tuesday with a 3-0 blanking of Central Catholic.
The Valley Oak League game, hosted at East Union, did not start so smoothly for the Buffaloes (4-4, 10-14-1 overall), who had to overcome a one-man disadvantage over the final 70 minutes after senior captain and center back Matthew Kong was shown a red card.
“I'm extremely proud of the boys’ mettle,” Manteca coach James Burns said. “Down a man in a game with filled with pressure — I couldn't be prouder of their fight and determination. We had to rally around one another, and when you're as close as this group is, that's an easy ask. They truly love one another.”
Ethan Fraser buried a penalty kick in the third minute, and Fernando Lopez put it out of reach with his second-half brace. Yhair Martinez and Fraser assisted Lopez’s goals. Every player who had a hand in the scoring is a senior.
“Fernando, Fraser, and Yhair have been the foundational pieces for this success,” Burns said. “They helped set the tempo in the spring and have carried us all the way through. It's only fitting they combined on the goals that wrapped up the win.”
With a playoff bid secured, Manteca has two good opportunities to prepare for the challenges ahead with its final regular-season matches. The Buffs will look to play spoiler against title-contending Kimball on Thursday and close out the league schedule at Kimball on Feb. 6.
Manteca last qualified for the postseason in the fall 2013 season. The Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs kick off on Feb. 9.
“I don't know that many people believed in us when I took the job in the spring or when the season started in November, but we never lost sight of our goals,” Burns said. “These boys bought into a coach and his system of play, and new expectations on the field and off, and their faith has been rewarded. I'm excited for this senior class; they've helped change the direction of the program.”
East Union 4, Oakdale 3
Giovanni Perez powered the visiting Lancers (6-2 Valley Oak League, 14-9-1 overall) with a hat trick, and Sobhan Azizpor added one goal.
Preston Avila, Alexis Berber and Angel Guzman each had an assist.
Oakdale (1-7, 4-13-1) did not go away quietly after trailing 4-1. The Mustangs got goals from Tyler Haun, Dylan Krause and Abraham Isidro.
East Union has a chance to capture the league title but will have to knock off fellow contenders Sierra (on Thursday) and Kimball (Feb. 6) in its final regular-season contests.
Orestimba 3, Ripon Christian 1
In Newman, Hyeon Lee gave Ripon Christian (3-6-2 Southern Athletic League, 6-12-3 overall) some life with his second-half goal, but the Warriors (7-1-3, 13-8-4) sealed it with a late tally. Orestimba led 2-0 at halftime.
The Knights return to action today at home against Gustine.
Junior varsity
Manteca 3, River Islands 0
Adrian Anaya assisted all three of the Buffaloes’ goals scored by Eli Navarro, Sean Lockwood and Julyan Urena. Bryan Landaverde had three saves.
East Union 5, Oakdale 1
Manny Curiel and Efren Ruiz both scored twice for the Lancers, and Richard Cardozo chipped in with one.
