By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Yandel Gutierrez garners VOL MVP
National goal-scoring leader heads MUSD-heavy all-league team
VOL boys soccer
East Union striker Yandel Gutierrez (25) and Manteca defender Mateo Esparza joust for the 50-50 ball during a Valley Oak League game on Feb. 10. - photo by SEAN KAHLER

 Manteca Unified schools swept the All-Valley Oak League boys soccer major awards.

The top honor went to national goal-scoring leader Yandel Gutierrez of co-champion East Union (10-1-1 VOL, 24-5-2 overall).

Offensive Player of the Year went to Jose Gonzalez from third-place Sierra (8-2-2, 11-8-2). Manteca (5-7, 11-11-4) received two awards, which went to Defensive Player of the Year Mateo Esparza and Keeper of the Year Alberto Gutierrez.

Yandel Gutierrez, only a sophomore, amassed 53 goals for the season despite missing East Union’s first four games. His 120 points (including 14 assists) ranks him No. 2 in the country.

Gutierrez had goal contributions in all 12 of the Lancers’ league matches, totaling 29 goals and seven assists. He had a whopping six goals and six assists in a 14-1 blowout of Central Catholic. It was one of his eight overall hat tricks.

VOL boys soccer
Sierra forward Jose Gonzalez winds up to take the shot against Manteca. - photo by SEAN KAHLER

Gonzalez paced Sierra with 20 goals and five assists, much of them — 19 goals, three assists — coming in league play. He scored every goal for the Timberwolves in a 3-2 win over rival Manteca, and he scored one and assisted the other in a 2-2 tie with Patterson (10-1-1, 12-6-4) that forced the title share with EU.

Esparza earned his third spot on the All-VOL first team. The senior center back anchored Manteca’s back line and was its

VOL boys soccer
Manteca goalie Alberto Gutierrez intercepts the ball crossed for East Union’s Yandel Gutierrez. - photo by SEAN KAHLER
best threat on set pieces, scoring three of his five goals in VOL games. He aided junior goalkeeper Alberto Gutierrez on three clean sheets against league opponents. Gutierrez averaged 3.8 saves in 12 VOL appearance in goal.

East Union midfielder Ben Diaz (two goals, 13 assists) repeats as an All-VOL first-team selection. The senior is joined by sophomore midfielder Carlos Heredia (goal, four assists) and junior defender Elias Salgado (goal, two assists).

Despite its youth, East Union had one of its best regular seasons in program history and was runner-up in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs.

Seniors Johan Arroyo (four goals, five assists) and Neddy Ramos (three goals, seven assists) represent Sierra on the first team. Manteca also has two first-team selections in senior defender Christian Ambriz (assist) and senior midfielder Kevin Mundo (three goals, two assists).

East Union has four second-team selections senior centerback Cristiano Barajas (assist), junior midfielder Manny Curiel (two assists), sophomore midfielder Brandon Escamilla (two goals, assist) and sophomore defender Alex Hernandez.

A trio of Timberwolves made the second team: senior fullback Christian Gonzalez (assist), senior midfielder Axel Razo (goal, three assists) and senior defender Angel Torres.

Senior defender Adrian Anaya (four goals, two assists) and senior striker Jesus Gomez (eight goals, assist) earned second-team recognition for Manteca.

Making honorable mention: Kevin Vasquez and Nick Zavala of East Union, John Thomson and Logan Tyler of Sierra, and Eli Navarro and Julian Oregel of Manteca.