The top-ranked Sunnyside Blue Devils successfully defended their No. 1 ranking on Tuesday night, narrowly defeating No. 6 San Luis 2-1 in a match with significant playoff implications.
In front of a packed crowd at Sunnyside Stadium, the atmosphere was electric as fans gathered to support the Blue Devils in their playoff push. The team relied on junior goalkeeper Marc Urrea-Salinas, who entered the game ranked fifth in the state for goals-against average.
Sunnyside opened the scoring in the 12th minute when sophomore Michael Montesino took advantage of an empty-net opportunity, giving his team an early 1-0 lead. However, San Luis quickly responded; Carlos Gonzalez found the net after receiving a pass from Jose Contreras Terriquez, leveling the game and keeping the Sidewinders competitive.
With both teams vying for the top seed in the Open playoffs, the intensity of the match increased, leading to a more physical game. The second half saw a rise in tension, with several yellow cards issued as the teams battled fiercely.
The decisive moment came from sophomore Pedro Vega, who scored the game-winner with a perfectly placed shot that sailed over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The Blue Devils managed to maintain their lead, securing a 2-1 victory and bolstering their chances for the top playoff seed.
Looking ahead, the Sunnyside Blue Devils aim to carry this momentum into their next game against Tucson High on Thursday night at home.
