RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - After their first four games of Metro League play, the Cordova Lancers find themselves right in the middle of a dogfight for one of the top three spots in the standings as they entered this week.

At 3-8-1 overall with a 1-2-1 mark in league, the Lancers were sitting in fifth place entering what may be the biggest three-game stretch of their season. With both McClatchy (9-4 overall, 2-2 Metro League) and Kennedy (3-7 overall, 1-1-2) in spitting distance, the Lancers have the ability to make up serious ground. With games this week at West Park on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at McClatchy on Thursday, Jan. 22, and next week on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at home against Kennedy, the Lancers were well aware of the stakes.

Freshman Ethan Dinh looks for a teammate to pass the ball to against Grant. 

“I told the boys after our last win (Thursday, Jan. 15 at Antelope) that if we played our other three league games with half as much intensity that we would be staring at two or three wins instead. The boys responded well to that. They know that if we get two or three wins in our next three games, we're looking at being atop the league maybe. It's all out there for us. Everyone in league has a loss. It’s still there for us to take.”

Final results of the games at West Park and at McClatchy were not yet available at press time and there will be updates to follow. After a 0-0 at Kennedy on Jan. 8, the rematch figures to be just as competitive. Led by junior striker Shazad Hazem, whose 10 goals currently rank second within Sac Joaquin Section Division III, the Lancers are capable of competing with most teams. Additionally, the play of junior midfielder Misael Ceja Rojas, along with sophomore striker Raul Aguilar, has stood out according to their head coach.

Be sure to come on out on Tuesday, Jan. 27 to Lancers Stadium when the Lancers take on the Cougars at 6:30 p.m. in a huge Metro League showdown.

Junior Shahzad Hazem passes the ball to a teammate from the sideline against Grant.