Over the years, there have been some epic battles between the Williams Yellowjackets and the Hamilton City Braves on the pitch, and last Wednesday was no exception, as the ‘Jackets prevailed 3-2 in an intense, well-played Sacramento Valley League contest.
Although the Yellowjackets haven’t been tested often to this point in the season, they got all they could handle from the Braves in Hamilton City.
Adrian Solis put Williams on top in the first half, scoring with assist from Leo Hernandez, but a Hamilton “own goal” afforded the ‘Jackets a 2-0 advantage going into halftime.
Yet the Braves did not roll over, and behind a brace from the Northern Section’s leading scorer, Oscar Quezada, knotted the score at 2-2 in the second half.
But the ‘Jackets proved resilient late in the match, as Kaled Correa, the second leading scorer in the section, got the game winner off an assist from Jesus Gutierrez.
It was the 13th goal of the season for the sophomore, and the timing couldn’t have been better as the Yellowjackets emerged with the hard-fought victory.
As a result of the win, Williams pushed its record to 11-1 and 7-0 in the Sacramento Valley League, something not surprising to eighth-year head coach Humberto Guzman, who couldn’t be more pleased with his group.
“I am so proud of the way they play and communicate with each other,” Guzman said. “They give it their all out on the field.”
Williams closed out last week on the road with a 5-2 win over Paradise, behind a hat trick from Leo Hernandez and a goal apiece from Correa and Solis.
The ‘Jackets returned to action in Orland on Tuesday, and entertains Redding Christian at McCarl Field on Friday. ■