The Manteca High girls soccer team opened its 7th Annual Buffalo Cup with two blowout victories at Woodward Park.

The tournament field has been expanded to 12 teams and began Friday with group play. Manteca first defeated Bear Creek of Stockton 4-1 before drubbing Riverbank, 8-0.

Leah Manuleleua totaled four goals and two assists on the day. Jocelyn Reyes racked up a pair of goals, and Lejla Pepic scored one and assisted two.

Natalia Duran, Kaitlynn Funsch, Fechi Nkwocha, Avigail Mayen, Ashlee Miller and Katie Locke each added a goal.

Manteca faces Lincoln at 9 this morning in the semifinals. Powerhouses Oakdale and St. Mary’s are also clashing for a spot in the championship round, which is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m.

Defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII champion Ripon Christian and Weston Ranch both went 0-2 Friday. Ripon Christian plays Foothill today, while Weston Ranch is matched with Riverbank. Both contests start at 10:30 a.m.



Modesto Christian 8, Lathrop 5

Playing its fourth game this week, Lathrop (3-1-1) didn’t have enough strength in the legs to keep up with the fresher Crusaders (3-1-2) in a shootout.

It was a 4-4 ballgame by the 20-minute mark of the match, with the lead changing hands three times. Modesto Christian scored two goals early in the second half and held on for the win.

One day after scoring a school record five goals in a game, Yaneli Avila added three more in Friday’s contest. Jasenya Barajas netted one goal and assisted two others. Jessica Martinez scored one.



East Union 4, Atwater 0

The Lancers (2-0) were eventually able to break through the stout defense of host Atwater on Friday.

Four different players scored: Clarissa Lecce, Ariana Cardenas, Elena Rivera and Alexis Phillips. Britney Moneyhun contributed two assists, while Mariah Jeffrey and Jenna Zuniga had one apiece.