Ripon Christian’s girls soccer team is sitting pretty and on top of the Southern League standings at the midway point of the regular season after its 3-2 win at Mariposa Wednesday.

The Knights are unbeaten over their last 10 matches and improved to 7-0 in league and 11-6-1 overall. Mariposa (4-2-1), Gustine (5-2) and defending champ Waterford (5-1-1) remain in contention behind them.

Teagan Manus scored two go-ahead goals for Ripon Christian, which struck first on a corner kick by Adri Van Groningen. Vanessa Vallo controlled the cross in the air, deflecting it to the opportunistic Manus. Mariposa answered quickly with two goals to take a 2-1 halftime lead.

Ripon Christian rallied behind renewed vigor in the second half. Kaylie Colyn punched in the equalizer in the 50th minute, and five minutes later Manus pushed the Knights ahead for good on another corner kick with Kaylin Groen the assist.

“After playing a poor first half and allowing Mariposa to dictate the play of the game, the entire team worked together to control the ball in the second half,” Ripon Christian coach Kevin Tameling said. “The girls showed much character as they worked through the adversity presented in the game.”



Trans-Valley League

Ripon 5, Orestimba 2

The visiting Warriors (2-3 TVL, 4-7 overall) put a scare into Ripon (4-0-1, 7-2-1), taking a two-goal lead by the 17th minute on scores from Gladis Mendoza and Diana Villanueva. Megan Harlan closed Ripon in with a goal in the 27th minute to give the Indians momentum going into halftime.

The second half was dominated by Ripon, which outshot Orestimba 14-1 over the final 40 minutes. Jessica Carmona netted goals in the 61st and 65th minutes followed by two more from Tia Sidtikun in the 67th and 73rd.

Ripon hosts Hilmar in a battle for first place tonight at Stouffer Field. The match is scheduled for a 7 o’clock start.