After losing six key seniors to graduation from its Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII championship team, Ripon Christian has had to retool around impressive underclassman Abby Buitrago to make another run at it.

The first step, of course, is defending its title in an improved Southern League, where parity forced the young Knights to grow up in a hurry.

On Tuesday, Ripon Christian knocked off one of its chief challengers to annex a third straight league crown after sharing it with Mariposa last season. Buitrago scored four goals, Cynthia Van Vliet added two and the Knights blew past third-place Orestimba 6-2 at home.

“Winning the league title for the third year in a row is a major accomplishment for the girls,” Ripon Christian coach Kevin Tameling said. “We had many question marks heading into this season that got answered as players competed and improved.  We shared the title last year, so this year the players learned to prepare well when we played our toughest opponents.  I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Ripon Christian (12-0-1 SL, 15-6-1 overall) hasn’t lost since a 1-0 setback to Foothill in Manteca High’s competitive Buffalo Cup back on March 7. The regular season ends Thursday at Denair.

Two weeks ago, Ripon Christian escaped Orestimba (8-5, 11-6) with a 1-0 victory. The Knights wasted little time in the rematch.

Rachel Faure sparked RC with a tackle at midfield. She gathered the ball and sent it through to Buitrago, who scored the first of her four goals in the fourth minute. By the 15th minute the Knights had a three-goal lead with Buitrago and Van Vliet assisting each other’s goals. Van Vliet struck again in the 21st minute, working on a through ball delivered by defender Ellen Blankers.

Buitrago ended her scoring binge in the second half, striking in the 51st and 54th minutes to make it 5-1. Ariana Jorstad accounted for both of Orestimba’s goals.

Lauren DeVries and Bryanna Heida split time at goal. They each recorded three saves.

“We knew that Orestimba was a very good team but today we were able to use our depth to keep attacking their goal,” Tameling said. “Jorstad and (Mayela) Lopez are very dangerous players.  Defending them was a challenge that will help prepare us for the playoff run.”