A rosy Mother’s Day for the Manteca Futbol Club 05 Rebels White wasn’t without its thorny moments.
The Alternativo Futbol Boca Juniors scored on the first possession, weaving through the Rebels defense for a 1-0 lead less than 30 seconds into the match.
The Rebels responded with four unanswered goals, including a brace from Tavo Garcia, and then held off a late charge to celebrate a 4-2 victory at Woodward Park. After the game, players on both teams presented their mothers with single long-stemmed roses.
Jorge Reyes and Victor Martinez also found the back of the net for MFC, which snapped a two-game losing streak with an offensive outburst. The Rebels had been outscored 8-1 in their previous two games, both losses, including an unlucky 3-0 setback at Merced on Saturday.
Reyes notched the equalizer on Sunday, and Garcia pushed the Rebels ahead 3-1 with back-to-back goals early in the second half. Martinez tacked on the insurance score, sliding a low shot inside the near post.
Aiden Dolin-Lira and Luis Bucio split time in the net. Boca Juniors scored in the final seconds on a deflection by the Rebel defense.
Midfielders Leandro Garcia, Adal Guitron (assist) and Bucio, as well as wing backs Emmanuel Valencia and McKeane Beier (team-high six steals, four tackles) shined in the victory.
Reyes also tallied an assist. He nearly notched a brace of his own with a 20-yard free kick. The blast was pushed wide of the far post by the goalie.