RIPON — It didn’t take long for the wind to play a role in Thursday’s big Southern League match involving Waterford and Ripon Christian.
Just a few minutes in, sweeper Kaylie Colyn cleared the ball out of Ripon Christian’s defensive zone and scored. It sailed well over striker Ashley Roberts and the Waterford defense, bounced high off the turf and floated well beyond the reach of goalkeeper Alexis Godoy.
“We’ve been practicing those, but yeah, the wind did help out a lot,” Roberts conceded.
With the wind behind Waterford in the second half, the Wildcats took over. They scored three unanswered goals in an 18-minute span and held on to win, 3-2.
“They got kind of a fluke (goal) right off the bat,” Waterford coach Jennifer Viss said. “We tend to be more of a second-half team, and we knew we were going to have the wind to our backs so we were confident.”
Waterford (6-1-2, 13-2-2 overall) set up what is likely the league’s championship match with Mariposa next Tuesday. Ripon Christian (6-2-1, 13-4-1) split its two contests against Mariposa and tied Waterford in their previous meeting.
Jasmin Rolon touched in the go-ahead and insurance goals for Waterford in the 68th and 72nd minutes. The equalizer came in the 54th minute, when the Wildcats converted on their first of two cornerkicks. Jenna Viss sent it into the 6-yard box, and Heather Melton knocked it in.
Ripon Christian had nine cornerkick opportunities but struggled to deliver threatening crosses.
“A couple of our free kicks were a little bit off, but it’s what you make of it,” Ripon Christian coach Travis Haveman said. “Some days you’re able to take advantage of those opportunities, and today (the Wildcats) were able to do that.”
Roberts caught Waterford by surprise right on the kickoff that followed the Wildcats’ third goal, knifing her way into the heart of the defense until she was stripped of possession.
Ripon Christian did end up capitalizing on Roberts’ efforts, as it kept the ball on Waterford’s half of the pitch until scoring the final goal in the 75th minute. The goal was followed by Roberts’ direct kick from the top of the penalty box. Her shot was batted down by Guadalupe Gutierrez, Waterford’s second-half goalie, and Rachael Kinser raced to the free ball for an easy one-timer.
Despite the loss, the Knights are in good shape to at least qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-VI playoffs, which will include three squads from the SL. They outscored the remaining five teams on their schedule 19-1 in the first half of league play.
Up next is a road match with defending champion Le Grand, which RC has already beaten, 4-0.
“We’re still pretty solid in the top three,” Haveman said. “We’ll see what happens with them (Waterford) and Mariposa next week. Right now we’re just focused on winning the rest of our games.”
In Hilmar, the Indians (4-1-1, 6-5-2) suffered their first conference loss of the season.
Maci Christian scored the game’s first goal, but it was all Hilmar from there. The Yellowjackets countered with two uncontested first-half goals and one more with 10 minutes remaining.
Just a few minutes in, sweeper Kaylie Colyn cleared the ball out of Ripon Christian’s defensive zone and scored. It sailed well over striker Ashley Roberts and the Waterford defense, bounced high off the turf and floated well beyond the reach of goalkeeper Alexis Godoy.
“We’ve been practicing those, but yeah, the wind did help out a lot,” Roberts conceded.
With the wind behind Waterford in the second half, the Wildcats took over. They scored three unanswered goals in an 18-minute span and held on to win, 3-2.
“They got kind of a fluke (goal) right off the bat,” Waterford coach Jennifer Viss said. “We tend to be more of a second-half team, and we knew we were going to have the wind to our backs so we were confident.”
Waterford (6-1-2, 13-2-2 overall) set up what is likely the league’s championship match with Mariposa next Tuesday. Ripon Christian (6-2-1, 13-4-1) split its two contests against Mariposa and tied Waterford in their previous meeting.
Jasmin Rolon touched in the go-ahead and insurance goals for Waterford in the 68th and 72nd minutes. The equalizer came in the 54th minute, when the Wildcats converted on their first of two cornerkicks. Jenna Viss sent it into the 6-yard box, and Heather Melton knocked it in.
Ripon Christian had nine cornerkick opportunities but struggled to deliver threatening crosses.
“A couple of our free kicks were a little bit off, but it’s what you make of it,” Ripon Christian coach Travis Haveman said. “Some days you’re able to take advantage of those opportunities, and today (the Wildcats) were able to do that.”
Roberts caught Waterford by surprise right on the kickoff that followed the Wildcats’ third goal, knifing her way into the heart of the defense until she was stripped of possession.
Ripon Christian did end up capitalizing on Roberts’ efforts, as it kept the ball on Waterford’s half of the pitch until scoring the final goal in the 75th minute. The goal was followed by Roberts’ direct kick from the top of the penalty box. Her shot was batted down by Guadalupe Gutierrez, Waterford’s second-half goalie, and Rachael Kinser raced to the free ball for an easy one-timer.
Despite the loss, the Knights are in good shape to at least qualify for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-VI playoffs, which will include three squads from the SL. They outscored the remaining five teams on their schedule 19-1 in the first half of league play.
Up next is a road match with defending champion Le Grand, which RC has already beaten, 4-0.
“We’re still pretty solid in the top three,” Haveman said. “We’ll see what happens with them (Waterford) and Mariposa next week. Right now we’re just focused on winning the rest of our games.”
Trans Valley League
Hilmar 3, Ripon 1
Hilmar 3, Ripon 1
In Hilmar, the Indians (4-1-1, 6-5-2) suffered their first conference loss of the season.
Maci Christian scored the game’s first goal, but it was all Hilmar from there. The Yellowjackets countered with two uncontested first-half goals and one more with 10 minutes remaining.