Even with its impressive 4-1 win at Sierra on Wednesday, East Union is officially out of the running for the Valley Oak League championship.

That matters little to the Lancers at this point. They at least clinched the fourth and last available Sac-Joaquin Section playoff spot allotted to the VOL, and their sights are set on an even bigger prize.

East Union (7-3-2 VOL, 9-3-2 overall) blitzed the Timberwolves (8-2-2, 14-7-2) early and scored all four of its goals in the first 28 minutes, three coming from standout forward Gerardo Romero. Sierra previously toppled the Lancers 3-1 on Sept. 28.

“This was big,” Romero said. “We needed to step up our game. I don’t know how else to say it, but we have the team that can beat anybody.”

If things stand as they are by the end of the regular season, East Union would be the lowest-seeded club coming out of the competitive VOL. The Lancers have already proven to be a difficult out on the road. Last week, they went to first-place Weston Ranch and dominated for a half before two red-card ejections allowed reigning league MVP Joseph Mayorca to score thrice in a 3-1 victory for the Cougars. 

And just this past Monday, East Union traveled to Oakdale — which has leapfrogged Sierra for second place — and came away with its second tie against the talented Mustangs.

There are two games left in the VOL schedule with beatable opponents teed up for East Union. Weston Ranch finishes up with Oakdale and Sierra next week, so the Lancers have a chance to improve their standing.

“At Oakdale we played very good over there, so these guys were ready for the game today,” East Union coach Victor Polanco said. “They said they were going to play better than they did against Oakdale and they did.”

“We want to win the last two games and advance to a better spot,” he added.

Typically a quick-starting team, East Union jumped on Sierra in the third minute when Romero caught the defense off guard with an accurate strike from just inside the 18-yard line. That was enough to deflate Sierra while the Lancers’ confidence swelled.

“That goal sent a message: they wanted it more than we did,” Sierra coach Joe Pires said. “A lot of balls went their way but they also created their chances. They came out mad. We beat them over there at their house and they came over here and took it to us.”

The Lancers continued to press Sierra’s outgunned defense, which was minus its fastest fullback. They doubled their lead in the 15th minute as Romero’s initial attempt deflected off a defender but set up Daniel Gomez’s uncontested shot.

Romero completed the hat trick in the 27th and 28th minutes. His second goal came easily. Alex Velasquez made a nice run down the left flank , and his cross skipped off the foot of a Sierra defender. The ball was already on its way toward the goal with Sierra freshman keeper Saul Aguiniga out of position to clear it away, and Romero made sure it stayed the course with a point-blank blast.

Romero saved his best for last — a high, bending floater from roughly 25 yards out that settled inside the upper-left 90.

“I missed some easy ones,” Romero said.

East Union had several chances to deal even more damage throughout the opening half. Eric Flores had two breakaway attempts blocked by Aguiniga (five saves) in the first six minutes. Romero also had a breakaway stuffed by Aguiniga in the second half.

“Our keeper, I have to give it to him,” Pires said. “There could have been another two or three in there.”

East Union’s own underclassmen at goal also played well. Trent Rivera Jr. came up with five saves, none bigger than his stop on Eddie Aguilar’s penalty kick in the 70th minute. Sierra came out firing in the second half with Aguilar scoring his 33rd goal of the season in the opening minute

While the Timberwolves had their opportunities to chip away at the deficit in the second half, Pires said the missed PK “was one of those things when you realize it was not meant to be.”

“Could’ve, should’ve, those don’t count,” Pires added.

Sierra still has an outside shot at claiming the league title but needs help. On top of winning out, the Timberwolves will need Oakdale to beat Weston Ranch next Monday and for Oakdale to lose in an upset to Central Catholic in the finale.