YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) – With rain flooding the pitch at McCarl Field, Williams was forced to pivot and move last Thursday’s Northern Section CIF Division III playoff match to Yuba City High School, where beneath clear skies it scored three second half goals to down its county rival Colusa in shutout fashion.
Seeded No. 3, the reigning section champion Yellowjackets had only one good chance in the first half to draw first blood, but came alive in the second forty minutes.
Leonardo Esparza got the ‘Jackets on the board in the 57th minute with a nifty spin move in which he put the ball into the left corner of the net.
Then, just three minutes later, Daniel Preciado increased the advantage after redirecting a ball that was initially blocked by Colusa’s goalkeeper and took the wind out of the RedHawks’ sails.
Preciado’s effort drew praise from his coach Humberto Guzman who said, “He had an outstanding performance and was in the right place when we needed a second goal.”
Rounding out the scoring, Esparza came through with his second goal of the match in the 77th minute.
While in goal for Williams, Jose Pineda kept a clean sheet.
With the win, the Yellowjackets (8-3-4) kept their title hopes alive and were in Winters to face the No. 2 Warriors on Feb. 24, with the winner heading to Orovilles’s Harrison Stadium on Feb. 28 for a shot at the NSCIF Division III crown.
Meanwhile, Colusa (6-12-2), the No. 6 seed, saw its season come to an end.