OAKDALE — Manteca has prolific goal scorers, but its defense has quietly dominated Valley Oak League opponents so far.

That was again the case Monday when the Buffaloes kept the sheets clean for a fourth time in league play, this time blanking perennial contender Oakdale, 2-0.

Ivy Benson and Madison Burch each scored for Manteca (4-0-1 VOL, 13-1-1 overall) with assists coming from Lejla Pepic and Sarah Vegas. Ashlee Miller had 10 saves, and Coach Justin Coenenberg credited defenders Jasmine Basuil and Alexa Mayen for their efforts on Madison Feurstein, who scored 13 goals in 14 previous outings for the Mustangs (2-2, 9-4-2). The Buffaloes have given up just one goal in league play.

“(Feuerstein) is a really strong player up top, and they like playing the ball through her,” Coenenberg said. “Jas and Alexa did a great job of taking her out of the game, for the most part. We did really well defensively and it allowed us to posses the ball and create plenty of scoring opportunities. I would have liked to put more on the back of the net but overall I was real pleased with the effort.”

The win helped add some separation between the Buffaloes and the rest of the pack while setting up Wednesday’s first-place showdown with visiting Central Catholic, which is also 4-0-1 in league.

Central Catholic 1,

East Union 0

MODESTO — The Lancers (3-2, 9-3) controlled the pace of play, according to Coach Victor Polanco, but had nothing to show for it.

The deciding goal was a double whammy for East Union, as defender Britney Moneyhun sustained a shoulder dislocation on the play. Central Catholic (4-0-1, 8-1-1) capitalized, as Taylor Osnaya finished the breakaway opportunity.

“We dominated the game and played pretty good, but we didn’t put it in the goal,” Polanco said. “We moved the ball and had possession for a good amount of time.”

East Union’s frosh-soph team won, 10-0.

Sierra 13, Lathrop 0

LATHROP — Jadynn Shinn had three goals, and goalie Emma Broderick added two more while playing on the attacking third in the second half.

Sierra (2-0-2, 13-0-4) led 8-0 at halftime and had 11 different players contribute at least a goal or an assist.

Frosh-soph

Manteca 4, Oakdale 0

Cassie Vasquez helped break a scoreless halftime with two goals in the second half. Alex Delgadillo and Daisy Barajas chipped in one apiece.