HUGHSON — Both Hughson and Ripon High’s soccer teams had something to prove when they clashed Wednesday night in Trans Valley League play.
Ripon claimed the last three TVL championships, but the constant thorn on its side has been Hughson, which upset the Indians once in each of the previous two seasons.
Could this be the year that Hughson overtakes the reigning champion?
The Huskies entered the match with the league lead in hand, but Ripon snatched it from their grasp with a commanding 3-1 victory behind star senior Renae McFadden’s three goals.
Hughson (3-1-0, 4-5 overall) blew out its first three conference opponents by at least four goals. One of those thrashings came by a 7-3 margin against Modesto Christian, which tied the Indians (3-0-1, 7-2-2) 1-1 last week.
“Coming in Hughson looked formidable because of the way they had throttled teams like Modesto Christian and Escalon,” Ripon assistant coach Bryce Perkins said. “On paper they have a high-flying offense, and in talking to other coaches in league they said they do know how to attack the goal.
“We figured they were ready to give us trouble this year more so than they have the last few years, but tonight wasn’t their night.”
The night belonged to McFadden and the rest of the Indians, whose draw with MC can be attributed to absent starters who were nursing injuries.
Ripon was as close to full strength Wednesday as it had been all year, and it welcomed back fourth-year keeper Morgan Torres-Unger.
Torres-Unger had just one save, as Ripon outshot Hughson, 18-4. Perkins said the play of Tia Sidtikun, Katherine Ratto and Thalia Bobadilla at midfield and on defense made the difference.
“Those three created a wall at the 30-yard line and didn’t give them very many opportunities,” Perkins said.
McFadden scored in the 10th, 39th and 77th minutes with assists coming from Kallie Jacobs (two) and Lauren Goeppert.
Mady Adams tied the game at 1 for Hughson in the 12th minute, but McFadden’s second score just moments before the half-ending whistle gave the Indians momentum.
The Knights led comfortably 3-1 at halftime. Keeper Beth Van Vliet allowed a Riverbank to score just before halftime but was able to stop nine other attempts.
Ripon claimed the last three TVL championships, but the constant thorn on its side has been Hughson, which upset the Indians once in each of the previous two seasons.
Could this be the year that Hughson overtakes the reigning champion?
The Huskies entered the match with the league lead in hand, but Ripon snatched it from their grasp with a commanding 3-1 victory behind star senior Renae McFadden’s three goals.
Hughson (3-1-0, 4-5 overall) blew out its first three conference opponents by at least four goals. One of those thrashings came by a 7-3 margin against Modesto Christian, which tied the Indians (3-0-1, 7-2-2) 1-1 last week.
“Coming in Hughson looked formidable because of the way they had throttled teams like Modesto Christian and Escalon,” Ripon assistant coach Bryce Perkins said. “On paper they have a high-flying offense, and in talking to other coaches in league they said they do know how to attack the goal.
“We figured they were ready to give us trouble this year more so than they have the last few years, but tonight wasn’t their night.”
The night belonged to McFadden and the rest of the Indians, whose draw with MC can be attributed to absent starters who were nursing injuries.
Ripon was as close to full strength Wednesday as it had been all year, and it welcomed back fourth-year keeper Morgan Torres-Unger.
Torres-Unger had just one save, as Ripon outshot Hughson, 18-4. Perkins said the play of Tia Sidtikun, Katherine Ratto and Thalia Bobadilla at midfield and on defense made the difference.
“Those three created a wall at the 30-yard line and didn’t give them very many opportunities,” Perkins said.
McFadden scored in the 10th, 39th and 77th minutes with assists coming from Kallie Jacobs (two) and Lauren Goeppert.
Mady Adams tied the game at 1 for Hughson in the 12th minute, but McFadden’s second score just moments before the half-ending whistle gave the Indians momentum.
Ripon Christian 4, Riverbank 1
RIVERBANK — Kirsten Lown recorded a hat trick as RC (1-3, 7-3-1) got back on the winning track after losing three straight to start the league season. Ashley Roberts scored RC’s other goal.The Knights led comfortably 3-1 at halftime. Keeper Beth Van Vliet allowed a Riverbank to score just before halftime but was able to stop nine other attempts.
— Jonamar Jacinto
