MODESTO – Ripon’s Yvette Serrano put together a respectable effort in the net Thursday afternoon at David Patton Field.

The Indians’ senior goalkeeper played with heart and finished with nine saves against a heavily-favored Central Catholic squad, which ended Ripon’s season with a 2-0 victory in the opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V postseason.

“They were super fast, but we managed to hold them back,” said Serrano, who finished with five saves in the first 40 minutes. “My saves were tough, but we all did well. (Central) was really good, and I’m just proud of my team for keeping them to two.”

Morgan Carrico and Zaire Davis played solid defensively and helped keep the score within arm’s reach for Ripon, which ended its season 7-3-2 in the Trans Valley League, 10-6-2 overall.

“(Davis) was solid for 80 minutes,” Ripon assistant coach Bryce Perkins said. “She was a rock. It could have been a lot worst if it weren’t for Zaire.

“(Central) had good ball handling and good passing. They were an excellent team…and we ran with them. We were right there, but that second (goal) really hurt us.”

Central Catholic freshman Taylor Osnaya ended any Ripon hopes at moving on to the next round of the tournament during the 66th minute. Lauren Nicholson fed Osnaya with a cross that went to the left wing and was fired in the top-far corner past Serrano.

“There was no way I could have gotten to that one,” she said. “I tried and threw myself, but I just couldn’t get it.”

Ripon standout senior Tia Sidtukin was limited offensively as Central Catholic (13-2-4 overall) swarmed her all afternoon. Sidtukin, who is headed to Cal State Monterey this fall, did get a shot off during the 48th minute. It was Ripon’s first legitimate shot on goal during the opening half.

Sidtukin was awarded a free kick after finally getting a deserved call from the referees. Her kick was on line but was deflected off the fingertips of CC’s Caitlyn Duval, and then bounced off the top bar. The ball stood in play and the Raiders cleared it out.

The Indians went into the half trailing by one and came out in the second half playing with more control and composure.

Ripon senior Yvonne Serrano helped her offense get some pushes and through balls developed. The Indians were not able to get more than six shots attempted through 80 minutes of soccer, though.

“Our goal is to win the (section) title this year,” Central Catholic head coach Dominic Figueroa said. “That would be an amazing accomplishment.

“We had a lot of energy today. Our girls know that’s the best way for us to be successful. We feel like we’re as talented as anybody. If we just bring our best effort, we have a good chance to win.”

Central Catholic senior Annalicia Luis, a Ripon resident, scored the Raiders’ first goal in the 7th minute to make it a 1-0 contest. Luis put the shot back off a deflection that was initially created by an aggressive shot on goal from sophomore Chloe Peepgrass.

This was Ripon’s fourth playoff appearance in the last six years.

“We felt good about the way we played,” Perkins concluded. “We played well and with a lot of heart. We’ll miss our four seniors, but we wish them all well.

“Yvette was a great goalie for us and we counted on her all year long.”