The 2017-2018 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV boys’ soccer playoffs began on Tuesday, Feb. 20. On that brisk winter’s night, the sixth seeded Oakdale Mustangs stayed hot by scoring five unanswered goals in their 5-0 home win over No. 11 Calaveras.

Senior Izzy Valero led the team with two goals and an assist in the win.

“The community support that we got tonight helped motivate us,” Valero said of the nearly 100 fans that came out to the playoff game.

Oakdale took an early 2-0 first half lead and never looked back. Juan Mata and Valero got the team on the board and Eric Anaya added a late goal in the first half as the Mustangs went up 3-0 at the break.

In the second half Cameron Burke scored with less than 20 minutes to play and Valero scored the final goal of the game to put it on ice.

“This was a big win but we want to continue our momentum and bring home the blue banner,” Valero said.

Thursday night. Feb. 22 the boys travel to Sacramento to take on third seed Natomas (16-3, 11-1). Natomas won 11 straight games and were the Golden Empire League Champions.

The playoff game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and will be played at Natomas High School, 3301 Fong Ranch Road, in Sacramento.