The Manteca Buffaloes continued a trend that could get convenient, pulling out another one-goal victory Thursday in a 2-1 win over Oakdale High.
Manteca (5-0-1, 14-0-1 overall) pulled out its fourth one-goal win in the past five contests, showing the club will either score at an alarming rate and battle for 80 minutes and depend on defense.
“This could be a good thing because we know how to play in close games and pull them out,” Manteca head coach Justin Coenenberg said. “There are definitely things we can improve on.
“We haven’t played a full 80 minutes in league.”
Marcus Montano notched Manteca’s first goal on an unassisted shot in the 14th minute. The Mustangs tied it up in the 41st minute, but could not stay tied as Manteca got its final goal from Cesar Reyes in the 73 minute.
Abdiel Chiquito pushed away 11 saves for Manteca.
East Union 4, Sonora 0
The Lancers cruised to an easy 3-0 halftime lead and wouldn’t relinquish, handling Sonora in a shutout Thursday in VOL play.
The Lancers got first-half goals from Alfredo Solarzano (11th minute), Jairo Baires (16th minute) and Ruben Aguilar (24th minute). Scott Fisher would close out East Union’s day with the final goal midway through the second half.
East Union (4-0-2) will have one of its toughest challenges when it hosts the Manteca Buffaloes Tuesday.
Southern League
Ripon Christian 6, Le Grand 4
After allowing Le Grand to dominate over the first 40 minutes, the Knights found an answer early in the second half, getting a goal in the first 30 seconds en route to a come-from-behind win Thursday in Southern League play.
The Knights got on track when Jon Vander Molen made good on an assist from brother Danny Vander Molen moments after the second half kickoff.
“That goal definitely pumped us up,” Ripon Christian head coach Keith Terpsma said.
Danny Vander Molen continued his impact with a goal in the 53rd minute. Paul Cho would add the Knights final goal in the 76th minute.
Braden Van Vuren was solid in the net for the Knights, coming up with seven saves in the win.
