Manteca High’s girls soccer team opened the season in impressive fashion but could not hold on in a 3-1 home loss to Lodi Wednesday.

Freshman forward Sialei Manuleleua scored the match’s only first-half goal unassisted 15 minutes in. But with only three substitutes and a few key players playing out of position, the Buffaloes were unable to match that effort over the final 40 minutes.

With a starting defender unable to make the game, standout midfielder Rileigh Mankin played at sweeper and her presence as a playmaker on the attacking third was missed. The Buffaloes had just three substitutes available.

“We played pretty solidly in the first half, but in the second half we tried a different formation and didn’t work out for us,” Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg said. “We got a little worn down too; we’re not quite in soccer shape yet.”

Manteca will look to even its non-league record against visiting Delhi Friday.

California Cougars
Sierra High standout Sydnee Koscielecki was a big contributor for the California Cougars’ under-19 team during the prestigious SC Del Sol President’s Day Tournament this past weekend.

The Cougars finished 2-2. Koscielecki scored a goal in their 4-0 victory over Casa Boca Juniors 91 during preliminary action. She struck for one more in a 3-1 win against FC United Select of Illinois, which is ranked second in its state by gotsoccer.com.