Olivia Maragos’ first-half brace was more than enough for Ripon on Wednesday, as its lockdown defense notched another shutout in a 2-0 win over Twelve Bridges in a Sac-Joaquin Section IV quarterfinal.
Up next is a rematch with No. 2-seeded West Park, the team that upset the Indians in the quarterfinal round last year.
“Last year, we got knocked out in this round,” Maragos said. “The fact that we are back here this year, we wanted to prove ourselves. I want to continue on, and I want to help get the seniors that win.”
The sophomore striker scored in the 27th and 31st minutes. Her first goal was an easy tap-in after Ariana Daniels’ initial point-blank shot was knocked down by Twelve Bridges goalkeeper Kelsey Kurland (12 saves).
Ines Rodriguez assisted the second one, as Maragos played her looping through pass into the penalty box off the bounce and directed it past Kurland on the first touch.
“I can’t do any of what I do without the team,” Maragos said. “Without these girls, I don’t think I’ll be able to accomplish what I accomplish. They give me the motivation and the strength and the courage.”
Ripon (20-4-2), seeded third, registered its 15th shutout of the season. After breaking up an early breakaway, Ellena Parenti-Gomez was hardly tested, as the Indians overwhelmed No. 6 Twelve Bridges (14-6-2) with a 25-6 advantage in shot attempts.
The back line, anchored by seniors Gabbi Ilardi and Makenna Pokorny in the middle, has been so dominant that coach Bryce Perkins was not concerned after two great scoring chances were squandered in the second minute when Rodriguez hit the crossbar on a penalty kick and Maragos blew the follow-up shot well over the target.
“You hate missing those, but in the end, I think outperformed the other team,” Perkins said. “I give most of the credit to our defense. They set the table. It’s a really hard to get by Pokorny and Ilardi, and we have such depth that we can keep both wing (defenders) fresh. And if the (opponents) happen to get through, we have Ellena.”
Juniors Alyson Harvey and Katie Rhodes start at outside back with Savanah Ponce, Alison Isham and Malia Locarnini rotating in off the bench.
Ripon did find the net one more time, but Katie Martin’s well-orchestrated goal — in combination with Grace Garza — was wiped away by an offside infraction. Ariana Daniels also had a great look after juking past Twelve Bridges’ keeper, but a heavy touch put her at a bad angle to take advantage of the open net.
Like West Park last season, the Raging Rhinos from Lincoln are a first-year varsity team without seniors. Ripon hopes to avenge the “upset” defeat from 2022. Then the No. 1 seed, the Indians had no answer for Erica Grilione — she has since signed with Stanford — in a 4-2 loss to the No. 8 Panthers.
West Park (9-4-4) staved off No. 10 Oakmont 2-1 in its quarterfinal. Ripon visits the Roseville school Friday night with a 6 o’clock kickoff time.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Pokorny said. “Last year, most of our starters were hurt that for that game and the cards just weren’t in it for us. This year, I feel like we have a much better chance to do it.”
