MODESTO — It wasn’t the start to the season Sierra girls soccer coach Manuel Pires had hoped for, but he’ll take the result.
The reigning Valley Oak League champion bounced back from a three-goal deficit Tuesday and got two goals from freshman Tiana Cello for a 3-3 draw against host Gregori. The Timberwolves are without junior striker Jadyn Shinn, their top player and a Notre Dame commit who is competing in a tournament this weekend with the San Jose Earthquakes Girls’ Academy.
“We had a couple of mistakes that they were able to capitalize on, and even though we had possession and great chances in the first half we just couldn’t get that goal,” Pires said. “The team reacted pretty well coming back down three goals against a team like this. We have a young team and it’s a work in progress.”
Thanks to a goal from Cello, Sierra went into halftime trailing 3-1 but with momentum on its side. Daisy Valencia further cut into the deficit, and goalie Michaela Bitle came up with a big save on a penalty-kick attempt for Gregori. Cello buried the equalizer with about five minutes to go.
Manteca 3, Galt 1
Kaley Miller factored into every goal for the Buffaloes (2-0), who picked up their second win of the season in as many days at Guss Schmiedt Field.
Miller scored the first and final goals of the nonleague match and assisted Kaitlynn Funsch. Manteca led 2-1 at halftime. Freshman goalie Aimee Meier finished with six saves.
BOYS HOOPS
Lincoln 75, Manteca 32
STOCKTON — With three starters preparing for the school’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division III football final, the shorthanded Buffaloes struggled against Cal-bound Andre Kelly and Lincoln in their season opener.
Kelly, a 6-foot-8 forward, and 6-5 Ezekiel Holman poured in 15 points apiece and helped the Trojans (2-0) build a commanding 51-24 halftime lead.
Tarnjot Singh, Kyle Bolding and Michael Ballard scored six points each for Manteca.
GIRLS HOOPS
Atwater 79,
East Union 58
ATWATER — Atwater jumped out to a 26-17 first-quarter lead and ended any hopes for a Lancers comeback with a 20-8 run in the fourth quarter. Marisa Martinez led four Falcons in double figures and scored 13 of her game-high 23 points in the final period.
“Just played a better team tonight,” East Union coach Jim Agostini said. “It was a fast-paced game and our defense wasn’t up to par to match them.”
Donja Payne paced East Union with 15 points and 21 rebounds. Hailey Gosney added 14 points and six steals. Nina Murphy and Vonika Pok chipped in eight points each.
Ripon 49, Tokay 36
RIPON — A trio of sophomores spearheaded the Indians’ season-opening victory.
Mia Culver made four of six 3-pointers — including three in the fourth — for the bulk of her game-high 15 points. Tianna Sidtikun contributed 10 points, and Reina Sausedo finished with nine to go with six rebounds and three assists despite not playing in the second half with an injured calf muscle.
Soph boys hoops
Manteca 52, Lincoln 48
STOCKTON — Jordan Burciaga fired 15 of his 20 points in the second half, and Manteca raced to victory behind a 21-point outburst in the final period.
Sonny Dozier helped lead the charge, coming up with key steals as the Buffaloes went to their press defense down the stretch. He also finished with 11 points, while Kendell Ragsdale scored seven of his 10 in the fourth.
