Both Williams soccer teams had wins over Pierce last Tuesday in their home openers as the boys edged the Bears 2-1, while the girls prevailed 5-0 over their county rivals.
The reigning Northern Section Division III champion ‘Jacket boys scored twice early in the second half, then held off a late Pierce rally.
While the Yellowjackets have many new faces this season, they relied on three of their returners to lead the way in the win.
Leo Hernandez drilled home a penalty kick for the first goal of the contest, while Ernie Lemus delivered the second off an assist from Axel Velazquez.
For the Bears, who came on strong last year, it was an admirable effort, as they held Williams in check for most of the match.
Freshman Adrian Durate made the most of his varsity debut, finding the back of the net with an assist from Stevan Mendoza.
In its second match last week on Dec. 1, Williams played to a 1-1 draw in Live Oak.
Although the Lions scored first, Kaled Correa booted the equalizer off an assist from Velazquez.
Pierce also played on the road last Thursday, but came up on the short end of a 2-0 score against Fairfield.
As for the ‘Jacket girls, they also looked to have picked up where they left off a season ago, when they finished as the NSCIF Division III runner-up.
New head coach Liz Hernandez, one of the most prolific scorers in Williams soccer history, returns to take the reins of her former team, and although she says she is still learning the ropes, she earned her first win against the Bears.
Brisa Garcia, the Jackets’ leading scorer from a year ago, recorded a hat trick, while Isabella Santillan put two in the back of the net to complete the scoring.
Williams’ scheduled match with Live Oak on Dec. 1 was canceled, while Pierce suffered its second straight shutout falling to Fairfield 10-0.
All four teams were back in action this week with the Yellowjackets heading to Colusa on Tuesday in the week’s featured matchup, while the Bears were home to Orland on Tuesday and in Gridley today. ■
