Manteca scored three goals before visiting Lathrop even got off a shot Wednesday night in an 8-2 win for the Buffaloes in Valley Oak League soccer action at Guss Schmiedt field. 

This was the first VOL win for Manteca (1-4-1 VOL, 4-7-1 overall).

“We came out and we were able to create opportunities,” Buffaloes coach Justin Coenenberg said. “Just simply because we were possessing the ball and not turning it over.

“That was a good thing and this was a big win for us because we just needed to get out of this downward spiral we were in. Hopefully we can change things around now.”

It took Manteca just four minutes to get on the board via a penalty kick from Kevin Rodriguez. In the 12th minute Aron Navarrete scored off of an assist from Alexis Ochoa and in the 17th minute Ochoa powered back in a rebound for a 3-0 lead that would stand for the rest of the half. 

“It was a pretty good game,” Ochoa said. “We played good overall.”

Of his rebound goal, Ochoa said, “We work on that in practice so I was ready when the ball was coming, I saw the opportunity and I took it.”

Just as in the first half, Manteca had a scoring barrage in 17 minutes, this time getting four goals. 

“We have played good first halves all season long,” Coenenberg said. “And it just kind of gets away from us in the second half.

“We wanted to focus on playing good defense, possessing the ball, try to simplify things but try to string two good halves together.”

Ochoa assisted Navarrete for the first goal of the second half with Ochoa picking up another goal, Ramon Rojas a goal and an assist, Sovathyda Chea and Patrick Padilla a goal apiece and Navarrete and Kevin Rodriguez each had an assist.  

“We came out trying to win because we have been kind of having a rough season,” Navarette said. “We did good tonight – we worked the ball and kept possession.”

With 16 minutes remaining the Spartans (0-5-1, 3-8-1) got on the board with a goal by Jefry Raduales on an assist from Luis Angel Vargas. Three minutes later Anthony Blase had the ball near the Manteca goal and was heading out of bounds when he flipped it back to Miguel Chavez for the final goal of the game.

“The ball was still there and still in play,” Blase said. “I tried to head it back but I ended up hitting it with my back.”

Lathrop started the game with just one substitute available and were down to none 10 minutes into the game. 

“I am proud they didn’t give up,” Spartans coach Alfredo Reynaga said. “It is hard for coaches when you are losing continuously to keep that morale up, but today they showed a little bit of hunger even though they were down. 

“They are progressing with handling it better then they were before. That is a positive and we always have to look at the positives. We have to keep on working but right now we are dealing with injuries, disciplinary actions and with grades. We have to focus on grades and set the priorities to make us successful out here on the field.” 

Sierra 4,

Central Catholic 0

The visiting Timberwolves (5-0-1, 11-5-1) managed just one goal in the first half but pulled away in the second. 

“Central Catholic had a very strong first half,” Sierra coach Joe Pires said. “We were playing flat, just not playing well.

“We put it together in the second half, got a quick goal and got it going.”

Eddie Aguilar had two goals with Pedro Maciel and Eriq Kurys each getting a goal and an assist and David Lopez and Omar Guerrero getting an assist apiece. 

Frosh-soph

Manteca 5, Lathrop 0 

Fernando Rocha had two goals for the Buffaloes and Jesus Ruiz, Richard Parra and Andrew Michelis each hade a goal apiece.