CERES — How much has Manteca missed Rileigh Mankin?
Her importance to the team was on full display during a 10-minute stretch Tuesday against Ceres, and her impact was felt the second she was called into action for the first time in nearly a month.
Mankin, who has been out with an ankle injury, entered the match with 10 minutes left and assisted the Buffaloes’ two insurance goals in a 3-0 victory.
“I just wanted her to come in and get some confidence back, because she was a little gun shy,” Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg said. “She was an immediate spark. We’re pretty strong in the midfield, but Rileigh creates things for us.”
Mankin’s first touch came from the center of the field, and she got by two defenders and dished it ahead to striker Airenne Curry to double Manteca’s lead. Mankin then came close to scoring her own goal a minute later.
In the final minute, Mankin hooked up with Brianna Flynn to cap the scoring. Amanda Porter broke the scoreless tie with a penalty kick five minutes into the second half.
It was a 180-degree turnaround from Manteca’s first-half effort. Ceres (1-9 Valley Oak League, 1-12-1 overall) held a 6-4 shot advantage in the first half before the Buffaloes completely took over in the second. Mankin’s presence helped put them over the top.
“We just came out real flat to start the game,” Coenenberg said.
Manteca (6-4-1, 12-5-2) next hosts Central Valley at home Thursday starting at 4 p.m.
Sierra’s super stiker racked up two more goals Tuesday in a routine win over Central Valley in Ceres.
Brooke Grant, Rebecca Scott, Kayla Cody, Michaela Scott and Mariela Pimentel all found net for the T’Wolves.
“It was (Pimentel’s) first game back,” Sierra head coach Manuel Pires said. “She looked good. She’s playing back into game shape.”
As has been the trend all season, Sierra was a bit sluggish in a 3-0 first half, before opening up the floodgates in the final 40.
Sierra (11-0 Valley Oak League, 22-0-1) will celebrate Senior Night Thursday when Oakdale comes to town.
“We’re just dealing with a lot of injuries, but Sonora is a powerful team,” East Union coach Jim Todd said. “I think they have two or three of the best players in the league. They looked great.”
Her importance to the team was on full display during a 10-minute stretch Tuesday against Ceres, and her impact was felt the second she was called into action for the first time in nearly a month.
Mankin, who has been out with an ankle injury, entered the match with 10 minutes left and assisted the Buffaloes’ two insurance goals in a 3-0 victory.
“I just wanted her to come in and get some confidence back, because she was a little gun shy,” Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg said. “She was an immediate spark. We’re pretty strong in the midfield, but Rileigh creates things for us.”
Mankin’s first touch came from the center of the field, and she got by two defenders and dished it ahead to striker Airenne Curry to double Manteca’s lead. Mankin then came close to scoring her own goal a minute later.
In the final minute, Mankin hooked up with Brianna Flynn to cap the scoring. Amanda Porter broke the scoreless tie with a penalty kick five minutes into the second half.
It was a 180-degree turnaround from Manteca’s first-half effort. Ceres (1-9 Valley Oak League, 1-12-1 overall) held a 6-4 shot advantage in the first half before the Buffaloes completely took over in the second. Mankin’s presence helped put them over the top.
“We just came out real flat to start the game,” Coenenberg said.
Manteca (6-4-1, 12-5-2) next hosts Central Valley at home Thursday starting at 4 p.m.
Sierra 7, Central Valley 0
Nicole Vanni now needs just two goals to tie Cherie Early’s Sierra High career goals mark of 101.Sierra’s super stiker racked up two more goals Tuesday in a routine win over Central Valley in Ceres.
Brooke Grant, Rebecca Scott, Kayla Cody, Michaela Scott and Mariela Pimentel all found net for the T’Wolves.
“It was (Pimentel’s) first game back,” Sierra head coach Manuel Pires said. “She looked good. She’s playing back into game shape.”
As has been the trend all season, Sierra was a bit sluggish in a 3-0 first half, before opening up the floodgates in the final 40.
Sierra (11-0 Valley Oak League, 22-0-1) will celebrate Senior Night Thursday when Oakdale comes to town.
Sonora 5, East Union 0
In Sonora, the Lancers (3-7, 7-11-3) had no answers for the three-time defending VOL champions. Sonora (10-1, 16-1-3) remains three points back of Sierra in the standings.“We’re just dealing with a lot of injuries, but Sonora is a powerful team,” East Union coach Jim Todd said. “I think they have two or three of the best players in the league. They looked great.”
— Jonamar Jacinto
