Sammy Morris showed that familiar burst of speed and touch, saving Manteca from a disastrous start to Valley Oak League play.

Morris scored the equalizer in the 27th minute and then set up the Chenayi Tavaziva eight minutes into the second half for the insurance score in a 3-1 victory.

Sialei Manuleleua also found the back of the net and Avigail Mayen had two assists for the Buffaloes, who shook off a loss to Kimball in their opener.

The oft-injured Morris was a difference-maker.

She punched home a cornerkick in the 27th minute, answering Oakdale’s opening strike just three minutes earlier.

“We didn’t play our best soccer against Kimball and didn’t want to be 0-2,” Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg said. “The girls did a great job of responding. It was important we scored right away (after Oakdale took a 1-0 lead.”

Morris then put the game away with a blistering run along the end line in the 48th minute. She got behind the Oakdale defense and fed a negative pass to Tavaziva, who slotted it past the goalie.

“She’s got her burst again,” Coenenberg said of Morris, who has been slowed by a groin injury.

Manteca (9-3) now turns its sights toward Sierra on Friday night.

Sierra 6, Lathrop 0

Tiffany Quezada scored two goals and Sydnee Canales dished out three assists as Sierra opened Valley Oak League play with a resounding victory.

Naomi Nunis, Marissa LaQuaglia, Maira Cruz and Canales each had a goal for the Timberwolves, who struggled to crack Lathrop’s defense in the first 30 minutes.

“It was not as easy game,” Sierra coach Manuel Pires said. “We had to earn it. We had to work. Lathrop never backed down.”

Sierra (5-2-2) now enters the meat of its schedule, beginning with a road night game at Manteca.

“Everybody wants to grab their three points,” Pires said. “It’s going to be a tough one. They have home (field advantage). We have to be prepared.”

Sonora 1, Weston Ranch 0

Sonora grabbed control of the score board in the 65th minute and then preserved it with defense, turning away five Weston Ranch shots on frame.

Frosh-Soph

Manteca 3, Oakdale 1

Cecilia Gallardo, Fechi Nkwocha and Samantha Klump netted goals for the Buffaloes, who rallied with two goals in the second half.

Sierra 1, Lathrop 0

Manjot Kaur’s goal pushed Sierra past the Spartans in their league opener.