Ben Diaz contributed to every goal scored, and Daniel Diaz recorded a hard-earned clean sheet as East Union dusted visiting rival Sierra 3-0 on a cold and gusty Tuesday night at Dino Cunial Field.

The Lancers (2-0-1 Valley Oak League, 8-3-5 overall) took advantage of the tailwind in the first half, mixing in long balls from their strong-legged goalkeeper and a high press to keep the Sierra back line on its heels.

Right winger Maddox Torres scored in the 12th minute on a half-volley after Ben Diaz lofted an early cross into the penalty box. Diaz doubled the lead in the 28th minute with a high-arcing direct kick from near the left touchline, bouncing it in off the right post.

“Our game plan going in was to press,” EU coach Ronnie Green said. “We wanted to press the defense into making mistakes, which I felt we did very well tonight. They have a strong defense and strong center backs, but we were able to break them down.”

His Lancers had a 9-3 shot advantage in the first half and was dominant in possession. Sierra (2-1-0, 9-2-0) got more looks in the second half with the wind to its back but could not capitalize on its 14-5 edge on shot attempts.

East Union was still able to expand its lead while preserving the shutout.

Freshman Yandel Gutierrez had a banger of a goal on EU’s first shot of the second half, as he evaded multiple Sierra defenders with a pull-back turn and crushed it to the upper-right corner past Sierra keeper John Thomson (three saves). Thomson replaced starter Andrew Gilton between the uprights in the 25th minute.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game no matter how you look at it,” Sierra coach Joe Pires said. “We were trying to squeeze through that first half without giving up too much, and we were doing a pretty good job, just made a couple mistakes.

“The second half was a little different. They parked the bus in the back and made it difficult for us, but some of our players didn’t play their best game. Today was not the game to not have everybody play their ‘A’ game.”

Leslie Anye helped jump start the Sierra attack in the second half and had two breakaway opportunities that were denied by Daniel Diaz, who had six of his eight saves in the latter 40-minute stanza.

“If you get that one goal, it can give you that rejuvenation,” Sierra coach Joe Pires said. “Anything can happen after you break that seal, we just didn’t get it done. … (Anye) is one of those bench players that comes in with a lot of energy. It’s a spark, and we had some really good looks in the second half, but their keeper was very good.”

Diaz’s spectacular night in goal was not over yet.

In the 73rd minute, Preston Gallegos drew a penalty after collecting a nice through ball from Alejandro Sanchez. Gallegos took the ball to the spot but had his shot blocked by Diaz.

“Honestly, there were a couple of close ones,” Diaz said. “There was one where the striker barely got his toe to it, and he was so close to me. I just dropped back as far as I can then trusted my reactions and dove, and I barely got my hand onto it.

“On the pen, I know the other player and used to practice with him, so I just tried to get in his head. I faked to the right at first to make him go left, and then did a little sidestep and dove the right way for the save.”

For East Union, it was a big-time result as it continues to reinforce its roster. Several players are still out of town from the holidays, though the Lancers got a key addition with senior transfer Hugo Reyes playing his first game of the season. His debut fittingly came against Sierra, where he previously played.

“We knew going into the season that it was going to be between us three — us, Sierra and Patterson,” Green said. “I was happy to get the tie in Patterson (on Dec. 12), and getting the three points here is huge. It’s like I told the boys, if you just win out, you’re champions. It’s simple math, but long way to go.”

Sierra has its pivotal first of two pivotal meetings with Patterson on the road tonight, while East Union welcomes Central Catholic on Thursday.