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Lathrop boys, RC girls earn top seeds for SJS soccer playoffs
Sierra-Manteca girls soccer
Sierra’s Zoe Sutton (7) defends Manteca’s Makayla Spencer (16). - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL

 As expected, first-time Western Athletic Conference champion Lathrop is the No. 1 seed for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV boys soccer playoffs, while Ripon Christian’s girls top the Division VI bracket and are chasing a third consecutive title.

All play-in games take place today. First-round girls games are set for Friday, while the boys begin on Saturday. Most matches are scheduled for 6 p.m. starts.

Central Valley-Lathrop boys soccer
Lathrop’s Andres Garcia (10) passes the ball to Klever Hernandez (21). - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL
The Ripon boys (7-16-3) lead off postseason action for area squads in a Division IV play-in game today. Seeded 17th, the Indians head to No. 16 Natomas (11-7-3). The winner gets Lathrop (18-5-2) on Saturday.

Also in Division IV boys, Valley Oak League co-champion East Union (21-3-2) is seeded No. 2 and welcomes No. 15 Livingston (8-9-3).

The Division IV girls bracket includes a match-up between two local schools, as No. 4 Ripon (19-5-1) hosts No 13 East Union (11-12-3) on Friday. Winners of seven straight Trans Valley League championships, Ripon previously knocked off the Lancers 2-0 in a non-league match in mid-December. VOL champion Oakdale is the top seed of this bracket.

After a runner-up finish in the VOL, Manteca (17-5-4) is seeded seventh in the competitive Division II competition and takes on visiting No. 10 seed Pitman (7-5-2). Sierra (20-5-1) is the No. 3 seed in Division III girls and has a first-round date with No. 14 Mira Loma (8-9-4).

Ripon-Ripon Christian girls soccer
Ripon Christian’s Lauren Mouw (11) and Ripon’s Maddie McKiernan (15) race for the ball. - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL
Ripon Christian (14-7-1) gets a first-round pass as the top seed in Division VI girls. The girls quarterfinals are on Monday, and the Knights await the winner between No. 8 Millennium (15-6-2) or No. 9 Woodland Christian (8-9-5).

Ripon Christian fourth-seeded boys team (8-8-2) opens against No. 13 Golden Sierra (2-16-1), and their game starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Both of RC’s teams placed second in the TVL.

Sierra is facing a long road to the Division III boys final as the No. 13 seed. The Timberwolves (10-7-2) travel to Shingle Springs to face No. 4 Ponderosa (11-3-2).

River Islands has both of its teams in the postseason. The Riptide girls (12-12-1) are making their second appearance in as many varsity seasons. They’re 16th in Division V with a tough assignment against top-seeded Liberty Ranch (21-2-1), the defending champion.

River Islands’ boys (10-8-3) are the No. 15 seed in Division V for their postseason maiden voyage. They’ll face No. 2 Summerville (18-0-1), which is the Mother Lode League titlist.

The section finals are on Feb. 21, with Divisions I-III taking place at Cosumnes River College and Divisions IV-VI at Sacramento City College.