East Union clinches ‘Clasico,’ defeats Manteca in Division III soccer final

Ilena Rivera lay sprawled on the turf at Spanos Stadium, wondering if she had been struck by a cement truck.

The East Union High School striker was harassed by double and triple teams throughout the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, and she would be shown no mercy by a bitter rival in the final of the Division III playoffs.

Even she realized that.

So after the Looney Tune stars faded, Rivera picked herself up and returned the favor, dealing a crushing blow to the Buffaloes.

Rivera followed the hard foul in the middle of the field with a 34-yard rocket. She’d tack on a second goal four minutes later, sucking the drama out of this “Family City Clasico.”

East Union defeated Manteca for a third time this season, 2-0, and never looked in trouble on the section’s biggest stage.

The win caps an impressive two-year run by the Lancers, who are unbeaten in 40 matches under coach Victor Polanco. They now own two pieces of coveted blue felt — a Division III banner to go along with the D-IV title a year ago.

Polanco didn’t hesitate, calling Saturday’s score the most impressive because of the foe.

“We won this,” Polanco said. “There’s no way Manteca can (take this from) us today.”

It was the second time in city of Manteca history that two of its teams met in a soccer section final (Sierra vs. Manteca, 2004). Both times, the Buffaloes have had to watch the other team celebrate.

Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg credited East Union for taking advantage of its opportunities. The Buffaloes’ No. 1 objective was to limit the number of free kicks and corner kicks awarded to Rivera and the Lancers.

“We knew they were extremely good at set pieces,” Coenenberg said. “That was our No. 1 thing, to make sure we try not to give up fouls at top of box and give up as few corner kicks as we could. And if we did, we would have to do a great job defending that. That was the No. 1 thing, and unfortunately, both their goals came off set pieces.”

The Buffaloes broke their own rule and paid dearly.

Rivera’s shot in the 29th minute was hit with pace and stayed on line with the crossbar. Manteca goalie Alyssa Burch made the initial save, but the ball lipped off her mitts and fell behind her.

Just as she craned her body and head, the ball trickled into the goal for a stunning 1-0 lead.

“Ilena, in the biggest games, that’s when she shows up,” Polanco said. “You see it here. With big defenders, Ilena takes the ball and puts it in the net. She’s always there when I need her, when the team needs her.

“She’s not afraid to take the ball from 40 yards to the PK. ... I knew that ball was going in.”

The shot was hit with power and redemption. Rivera didn’t appreciate the foul.

“I was mad,” she said. “I was mad. I needed to put that away and put my team up.”

Coenenberg wasn’t surprised by the power or placement from East Union’s diminutive star. Rivera stands only 4-foot-8 but routinely rises to every challenge.

She secured the victory four minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball in front of the Buffs’ goal. The chance was created by a corner kick from fellow sophomore Jenna Zuniga.

Manteca (22-5-1) was unable to clear the ball, and in the process, lost sight of Rivera.

The loss spoiled a record-setting season for Manteca, which set benchmarks for wins and goals scored (124).

Junior striker Leah Manuleleua established a program record with 38 goals, none of which came against the Lancers’ vaunted defense.

Not that she didn’t have her chances. Manuleleua had a golden opportunity late in the first half when a cross put her alone in front of the goal. She rushed her shot and hit it weakly at Anna Wood (two saves).

Manuleleua later sailed a one-time volley into the shrubs on the concourse. It wasn’t her day.

That honor belonged to Rivera and the champion Lancers.

“We’re like a family. You see our chemistry on the field,” Rivera said. “It feels like we were born together, like we were born to play.”

This story was originally published May 16, 2015 at 4:58 PM with the headline "East Union clinches ‘Clasico,’ defeats Manteca in Division III soccer final."