DELHI — Ripon Christian’s quest for a fifth straight Southern League title in girls soccer continued Tuesday with a 3-1 win over Delhi.
Abby Buitrago anchored the first-place Knights (9-0-0, 12-4-1 overall) with her fifth hat trick of the season. The Cal State East Bay commit now has 30 goals and 11 assists and ranks fourth among the leading scorers in the Sac-Joaquin Section, according to MaxPreps.
Buitrago struck in the 12th and 28th minutes of the first half on assists from Thea Vander Meulen and Taylor Alger. Delhi (2-5-1, 2-8-1) cut the deficit in half in the 61st minute with a counter attack, but Ripon Christian quickly answered on Buitrago’s third goal of the night.
The Knights have a tough stretch ahead starting with a road game at fourth-place Waterford on Thursday. Second-place Gustine then visits next Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Sierra 7, Oakdale 0
Notre Dame commit Jadyn Shinn netted two goals and two assists as the Valley Oak League-leading Timberwolves rolled to an easy win at Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium.
Yasmin Ballew and Kaleigh Doyle also had two goals apiece, while Nikayla Turner chipped in a goal and an assist.

Manteca 1, Kimball 0
TRACY — Defending VOL champion Manteca (6-2-1, 13-4-2) remains in the hunt for another title thanks to a late goal from Kaley Miller off Alexa Mayen’s corner kick.
Caitlin McVeigh registered six saves, and the Buffaloes outshot dangerous Kimball (4-5-1, 6-12-1), 12-10.
“Kimball has been playing really well,” Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg said. “It’s always an adjustment to play on their turf and they’re a tough team to beat at their place. They have a really good goalie and good speed.”

East Union 2, Lathrop 1
Ilena Rivera continued her recent scoring tear for East Union (7-2-1, 11-4-1) at Dino Cunial Field, accounting for both goals to ruin Lathrop’s upset bid.
It was tied at 1-1 at halftime after freshman Kassandra Ceja tallied the lone goal for the visiting Spartans (3-6, 3-8). Goalie Noelle Smith kept Lathrop in the match with a whopping 19 saves.

BOYS
Denair 4, Ripon Christian 1
DENAIR — Ripon Christian (1-8 Southern League, 2-15 overall) opened scoring in the sixth minute with a Nick Van Vliet’s head shot set up by a corner kick from Rian Koetsier.
The host Hawks (6-2, 9-6-1) responded with goals in the 10th, 28th and 38th minutes. Goalkeeper Josh Tatton finished with eight saves.