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VOL title slips away from EU with tie against 1st-place Kimball
Kimball-East Union boys soccer
East Union forward Giovanni Perez tries to beat Kimball goalkeeper Sahib Sandhu to the ball at the 6-yard line. - photo by Wayne Thallander

East Union and Kimball are not sharing the Valley Oak League championship this time.

The Jaguars of Tracy secured sole possession Tuesday with a 1-1 draw at Dino Cunial Field. East Union (7-2-1 VOL, 15-9-2 overall) needed to win the regular-season finale to capture the crown.

Up next for both teams is the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs beginning on Friday. Brackets will be released today.

“I told the boys we have to keep our heads up,” East Union coach Ronnie Green said. “We still have not lost at home. We fought hard, we played strong, we just could not finish. I think we outplayed their 10 players on the field, but their goalie saved them again. He made some great saves, but I’m happy with the outcome and I’m happy with the momentum moving toward playoffs.”

Zhubin Wahidi gave Kimball (7-1-2, 12-2-2) the lead in the 49th minute, and East Union’s Giovanni Perez knotted it with a penalty kick in the 55th.

But the night belonged to the goalkeepers, who both made multiple diving and leaping deflections. East Union’s Andres Garcia came with six saves, while Sahib Sandhu had seven for the Jaguars.

“Andres had a good game for us, but he steps up every game,” Green said. “That’s one thing I can count on is Andres. That doesn’t change.”

The Lancers had a 17-12 shot advantage but had an overwhelming edge on corner kicks, 7-1. Although East Union dictated the run of play with possession and a high press, Kimball was able to put together several great chances on counterattacks.

Many of East Union’s best opportunities came in the first half. Holding midfielder Luis Mata had the last look of the half, sending his shot wide left on a counter attack. Alexis Berber, Angel Guzman and Perez also good opportunities throughout.

“We had a lot of chances we could have finished,” Mata said. “We just have to do a better job on the final third.”

All in all, it was a fair result and another strong effort for the Lancers, who head into the postseason 4-0-1 in their last five matches. They’re looking to make another deep run after falling in the semifinal round last year.

“Coming in hungry,” Mata said. “We want to beat everyone and hopefully win it all.”