TRACY — The Sierra girls soccer team started the season in an all-too-familiar predicament.
Within minutes, the Valley Oak League’s reigning champion stumbled to a three-goal deficit against Tracy, the Tri-City Athletic League titlist.
No worries.
Cal-bound forward Jadyn Shinn powered the Timberwolves’ second-half charge, and she tops the program record books after scoring two goals in the 6-3 come-from-behind victory.
Sierra was also down 3-0 at Gregori in its 2017-18 season opener, only that time Shinn was not yet with the team as she finished her commitment to the San Jose Earthquakes Academy. That match ended in a 3-3 stalemate.
Shinn and Co. did not want to settle for a draw this time.
“When we came off the field at halftime, in our huddle, we talked about how we love to play soccer — ‘let’s go out there and play our hearts out.’ There was still time and we came out strong.”
Shinn sparked Sierra out of halftime, netting the first of three goals in an eight-minute outburst. She was set up by Juliana Rodriguez’s through pass in the first minute of the second half. Tiana Cello tied it in the 44th minute, and Alexus Rossi set up Yasmin Ballew’s go-ahead boot in the 48th.
Shinn, who started the season as Sierra’s career points leader with 264, surpassed 2009 graduate Nicole Vanni’s all-time goal-scoring mark with her 108th. No. 109 came in the 68th minute following a free kick by Callie Crain. Crain capped scoring with a late penalty kick.
“It was an amazing feeling,” Shinn said of her record-setting goal. “I couldn’t do it without everyone playing a huge part. Without everyone, I couldn’t have done it.”
Longtime Sierra coach Manuel Pires, who started five freshmen, said his back line was not ready for Tracy’s speed at the outset. Goalie Michaela Bitle, who recorded the bulk of her five saves in the first half, did well to limit the damage as the Timberwolves reorganized.
Sophomore midfielder Nicole Martin came off the bench late in the first half and gave Sierra a needed boost with a goal in the 37th minute, finishing off a cross from Rodriguez. The Timberwolves tweaked their strategy at halftime to slow Tracy’s counter attacks while giving themselves better opportunities.
“We were fortunate to get a goal right before the end of the half,” Pires said. “That was a great shot and a great play that started from the left side and was switched to Nicole on the right side. It was a perfect shot and that was huge.
“Tracy has some super-fast players and is a very solid team. We made a few adjustments at halftime and executed it right away.”
Sierra next welcomes former VOL foe Lathrop for its home opener tonight at 5:45 p.m. The T’wolves will then host their annual Vern Gebhardt Champions Cup Friday and Saturday.

East Union 2, Lathrop 1
LATHROP — Savannah Hudson broke the tie in the second half with a long-range shot for the visiting Lancers.
Jasmine Mejia opened scoring in the first half, and Lathrop was able to even it with an own goal. Malia Allen was in goal for the majority of the match and finished with four saves.
“We’ve only had one practice the last two weeks because of the smoke (stemming from the devastating Camp Fire in Butte County), but overall I’m pretty happy with our first game,” EU coach Carlos Gaspar said. “We played everybody on the team.”

Varsity boys
Sierra 8, Lathrop 1
The defending VOL champion Timberwolves were in full control of their season opener at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium.
Miguel Villaseñor and freshman Joey Velasquez each netted two goals and one assist. Andrew Crawford, Emiliano Sanchez, Adib Guedoir and Gerardo Sanchez chipped in one goal apiece.

Weston Ranch 3, Franklin 1
STOCKTON — Robert Gonzalez pushed the Cougars ahead for good with a free kick in the second half. Izaac Cruz, set up by Jesus Vargas, padded the cushion.
Weston Ranch’s Elmer Figueroa scored the lone goal of the opening half.

JV boys
Sierra 7, Lathrop 0
The Timberwolves got two goals each from Francisco Becerra and Cooper Ruiz. Junior Bettencourt and Seth Villanueva each had one. Sierra had one more on an own goal.

JV girls
East Union 6, Lathrop 0
LATHROP — Melissa Gonzales struck twice for the dominant Lancers.
Brittney Barrington, Celeste Guerrero, Jasmine Ruiz and Thania Valencia chipped in one goal apiece.