The Manteca girls soccer team may have handled Lathrop 6-0 in non-league soccer Friday night at Guss Schmiedt Field, but the game was almost an afterthought. The contest was the Buffaloes’ annual Kicking for a Cure game with Friday’s proceeds going to assist 16-year-old Mason Ferrulli of Ripon and his family, as Ferrulli has been battling cancer for the last six years.
“It was a good night,” Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg said. “We wanted to go out and get
“It was about Mason and bringing awareness and helping to raise money for him and his family.”
The Buffaloes (4-0) were definitely the aggressor with 21 shots – 11 on frame – to just two for the Spartans (1-2).
Alexia Alva wasted little time getting Manteca on the board when she scored the first of her two goals barely three minutes into the game on a breakaway.
“I made the run downfield on that first goal,” Alva said. “I got the pass, took it from there and got the shot out.”
Corrine Jones scored two goals on headers and sister Sienna Jones added one on a header with Corrine being assisted on both of her goals on corner kicks by Makyla Spencer and Joanna Roa belted a corner kick to assist Sienna.
“Makyla (Spencer) got me two really nice balls up in the air,” Corrine Jones said. “And I feel confident and strong in going for the ball.
“I saw the opportunity on both of them and I went for it.”
Roa added a goal on a bullet shot from the deep wing.
“I got the ball and I saw that I had a chance to take a shot,” Roa said. “And I shot it and it went in.
“I practice those long shots sometimes.”
Lathrop did not get its second shot off until late in the game when Allana Lewis caromed a line drive off the crossbar.
“It was for a great cause,” Spartans coach Diana Nevarez said. “We came out and had some fun. We had some injuries and illnesses, and we know what we have to work on.
“It was great to see the community come together for this cause. We have East Union on Tuesday and we will be back here for the Buff Cup next weekend.”
Monday night at 6:15, the Buffaloes host Mountain House, while Lathrop hosts East Union Tuesday at 6:15 p.m.
Junior varsity
Lathrop 3, Manteca 0
Ariana Garcia scored two goals for the Spartans and Sarah Vivero one.
