Yandel Gutierrez stood over the ball, mentally mapping the moment.
Three steps back. Two to the left. One last look up.
Across the box, the goalkeeper leaned toward the far post.
Suddenly, twice as much net stared back at him.
The whistle sounded. Gutierrez drove the shot from five yards beyond the penalty arc into the bottom left corner.
Fifty-two goals. Top of the nation again.
And East Union boys soccer was heading back to a section championship for the first time since 2019-20 — the same season the program captured its first Northern California state title.
No. 2 East Union’s high press and refusal to let No. 3 Venture Academy build out of the back paid off Thursday, Feb. 19 in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV semifinal, resulting in a 2-1 victory at home.
“I’ve had some great teams in the past,” coach Ronnie Green said. “This team, by far, has the best winning percentage. But it’s their attitude that stands out. Every single one of the 26 players is coachable. There are no egos. No arguments. Just great student-athletes.”
The Valley Oak League champions improved to 24-3-2 on the season — seven more wins than their 2019-20 total.
Manny Curiel opened the scoring with just under 21 minutes remaining in the opening half. Seven minutes into the second, Gutierrez delivered the eventual winner.
“They dug deep,” Green said. “They knew what was at stake. It got chippy, which happens in big games. But I’m proud of how they handled it. Both sides played well, and we’ll take it.”
Venture Academy, meanwhile, entered 23-1-1 with a 14-0 Central California Athletic Alliance title run. It left with only its second loss, though the semifinal berth secures a spot in the CIF State Tournament.
Sebastian Cordova scored the lone goal on a daring free kick from just in front of the center circle near midfield.
“We’re a young team, but we always fight,” Gutierrez said. “We work hard and give everything we have. Tonight, that hard work paid off.”
Next up is No. 4 Liberty Ranch, last year’s section champion, on Saturday at Sac City College. Game time has not yet been announced.
“We just need to stay focused,” Green said. “We’ll go back, watch film and take it from there. We have goals in mind. In our minds, there are five more games left — all the way to state.”
‘Back on top nationally’
This didn’t happen by accident.
A year ago, Gutierrez was a freshman leading East Union with nine goals.
This year: 52 and counting.
That jump doesn’t happen without work.
“His work rate is so high,” Green said. “He fights for every single ball. He just has a nose for the goal. He will work so hard to get you a goal. It’s crazy to think he’s just getting started.”
Gutierrez threatened early. A shot over the crossbar. A header without enough power. A volley that flew high.
Then came the run.
From the right sideline, he sliced inside toward the top of the 18, weaving through four defenders. As he swung his left foot, the entire back line The shot ricocheted through traffic and landed at Curiel’s feet.
Alone with the keeper. Right side netting. Goal.
“My dominant foot isn’t my left,” Gutierrez joked. “Thankfully it landed behind him, so my teammate was able to collect it and finish.”
Yet, he still wanted one of his own.
A curling shot forced a save. Another attempt flew over the bar.
Near the end of the half, he was shoved to the turf along the sideline. No whistle.
He popped back up. Legs tangled. Words exchanged.
Tempers rose.
“Keep it coming,” Gutierrez said with a grin.
Moments later, he was shown a yellow card and sent off temporarily. Venture Academy equalized before halftime.
That was all the motivation he needed.
“It was a very physical game,” Gutierrez said. “I picked up a yellow myself. Overall, I kept my composure and was able to finish the game.”
Green added, “That puts him at 52 now. He’s back on top nationally. He’s tied, but the other player is done, so he’ll finish as the nation’s leading scorer this year.”
‘Press high and create chances’
The film didn’t lie.
The coaches watched it. The players did, too.
Press high. Don’t let them build.
“We knew we could contain them,” Green said. “If we press high, they can’t build out. That team is very good at building from the back.”
Contain them, they did.
Venture Academy’s goal came out of chaos, not structure. Yosgar Hernandez sold a header run, pulling the goalkeeper forward. The ball floated over them both, and Cordova capitalized from near midfield.
It was only the second shot of the first half — and both came in the final four minutes.
Hernandez — third in the Sac-Joaquin Section with 34 goals — managed just one shot attempt. Venture Academy had five total.
“If you watch their film, they build out of the back,” Green said. “Tonight, they didn’t do it successfully once. Not one time. That’s credit to our forwards, our midfield and our back line. Press high and create chances. That’s what we did.”
This article originally appeared on The Record: Nation’s top goal scorer sends East Union to Sac-Joaquin Section final
Reporting by Dylan Ackermann, The Stockton Record / The Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
