Ripon and Sierra showed the usual early-season rust in a non-league match on Monday, but coaches from both sides came away encouraged.

Aydkin Akca’s late goal was the difference for visiting Sierra, which escaped with a 2-1 victory.

The Timberwolves (1-1) had some eye-catching counter-attacking sequences all game, including one that resulted in Kevin Gracia’s first-touch put-away of Axzel Razo’s cross in the eighth minute.

“I liked the way we played, especially on the short game,” Sierra coach Joe Pires said. “The short passing was real pretty, at times, but the finishing — that’s where we need some more work. We missed too many opportunities, and you can’t do that against good teams.”

Akca’s winner wasn’t the product of good-looking buildup, but the finish was what Pires was looking for. In the 69th minute, the senior forward stole the ball away from Ripon’s left back and, from a tough angle, placed it perfectly past goalkeeper Lucas Weaver and inside the opposite post.

Ripon (1-3-1) scored its lone goal in similar fashion, as Brian Machado capitalized on a giveaway inside Sierra’s penalty box.

“We made some mistakes in the back, some bad passes and we let our guard down,” Pires said. “We lost the core of our defense from last year, so we have to fit the pieces together while some guys are playing out of position. I like what I see, now we just need to take it to the next step.”

Although the Timberwolves had an overwhelming edge on shot attempts, the Indians had as many quality looks.

Ripon’s Alan Aguirre broke away for a 1-on-1 chance in the opening minutes for the second half but was thwarted by goalie Raiden Meas. Both teams’ second-half keepers came up with some big saves — three apiece for Weaver and Reis — as the game opened up.

Second-year Ripon coach Jose Montes, who coached with Pires at Sierra once upon a time, is pleased with how competitive his team has been against good opponents despite its overall inexperience.

“We’re on the right track,” he said. “We have players who have hardly played together, and that’s a big disadvantage. Other teams have five or six players who play together all year.

“So far, we have a good defense, the midfield is coming up and we still have to find ways to score goals. We’re just trying to find the chemistry and put together the right 11.”

Both teams will next play in East Union’s Ervin Mendiola Memorial Classico at Woodward Park on Friday and Saturday.