The Millennium High boys soccer team is trying to get back into a playoff pace, and they began with a 7-1 win over visiting Tioga on Monday, Oct. 8.

The win followed two recent losses that bumped the Falcons out of first place in the Central California Athletic Alliance-Mountain Valley League.

The Falcons (7-2-1 CCAA-MVL) are still behind Venture Academy (9-1 CCAA-MVL) and tied for second with Sierra Ridge-Rite of Passage.

Senior forward Zach Yanke said his team didn’t play up to its potential in the recent losses, an 8-1 loss to Sierra Ridge-ROP on Saturday, Oct. 6, and a 2-1 loss to Elliot Christian on Oct. 3.

The Falcons also tied 1-1 with Big Valley Christian on Oct. 1.

On Monday, the Falcons communicated better on the field against the Timberwolves and put together successful plays for a 4-1 lead at the half. Millennium stayed in control of the ball most of the game and allowed Tioga few opportunities to get close to the goal.

Yanke scored two goals for the Falcons, Daniel Gutierrez scored two goals, and Danny Aguayo, Austin Little and Christian Gonzalez also scored.

Coach Alex Gonzalez said the Millennium team’s biggest challenges will be against Venture Academy in Stockton on Monday, Oct. 15, and the last two regular-season games against Big Valley Christian and Elliot Christian on Oct. 22 and 24.

Oakdale 5, Kimball 2

The Jaguars (2-17-1, 0-8-1 Valley Oak League) traveled to Oakdale on Tuesday, Oct. 9, and came away with a league loss to the Mustangs. Ryan Chaney scored for Kimball on an assist from Alberto Flores, and Noah Aini also scored with an assist from Flores. Kimball goalkeeper Andres Martinez had 10 saves.

West 6, Stagg 0

The West High boys soccer team closed out the first half of Tri-City Athletic League play with a win at home over Stagg High on Oct. 4.

The Stagg team (2-2-1 TCAL) made some early attacks on the West goal, but the Wolf Pack (8-0-1, 4-0-1 TCAL) stayed in control of the ball for most of the game.

Senior forward Jose Murillo said communication on the field had given West its first-place standing and will make the team successful in the second half of the league season.

“We pull each other up and get that ball moving,” Murillo said. “We have confidence in each other.”

West took a 2-0 lead in the first half, starting with a goal from senior forward Miguel Madruga on an assist from Murillo in the 23rd minute. Madruga scored again in the 27th minute on a charge up the middle and an arcing shot over the Delta King defenders and goalkeeper.

West scored four goals more in the second half, including three for Murillo and one more for Madruga. Alex Valencia assisted on two of those goals.

• Contact Bob Brownne at 830-4227 or brownne@tracypress.com.