LE GRAND — Abby Buitrago broke a scoreless tie in the 20th minute and was just getting started for Ripon Christian in its Southern League opener at Le Grand.
The scoring whiz ended up with three goals and an assist, and the defending champion Knights coasted to a 6-0 victory.
Ripon Christian (1-0 SL, 4-4-1 overall) netted its first three goals during a 15-minute flurry in the first half. Buitrago struck for her second goal, a 30-yard bomb, in the 25th minute. Thea Vander Meulen, taking the initial cross from Buitrago, then set up Emily Manes’ goal to make it 3-0.
The Knights extended their lead early in the second half when Buitrago’s corner-kick cross was deflected in by a Le Grand defender. She put the finishing touches on her hat trick with a 40-yard shot. Bethany Silveira capped scoring with 10 minutes to go off a feed from Gracie Van Vliet.
Sabrina Van Vliet and Emma Cormier had three saves apiece at goal.

BOYS
Le Grand 9,
Ripon Christian 1
LE GRAND — Matthijs Moret accounted for Ripon Christian’s lone goal, but by that point Le Grand (1-0, 5-1-1) already had done all of its damage.
The Bulldogs opened their onslaught with a goal in the sixth minute and led comfortably 6-0 by halftime.
Ripon Christian (0-1, 1-8) will look to rebound tonight against visiting Denair in another league doubleheader. The girls game will start at 5 with the boys following at 6:30.