MODESTO — It was a hot and windy day Saturday at Big Valley Christian, and the Ripon did just about everything right, but in the end a 5-4 shootout loss following a scoreless tie with Vacaville Christian would leave the Indians on the doorstep.

Ripon started the day with a 3-1 win over Faith Christian.

Eric Anaya scored a pair of goals, both off assists from Alex Vitale.

Jared Berglund found net as well, thanks to a little help from David Paden.

Keeper Tim Combley had a contest he won’t soon forget in a 10-0 semifinal win over Jim Elliot.

With the wind at his back, Combley boomed a kick from the box that bounced in front of the Elliot keeper, over his head and in for a score.

“That’s the first time I’ve seen that happen, either for or against me,” Ripon head coach Jamie DeBruyn said.

BeBruyn moved Combley up top in the second half and the keeper showed off his skills by scoring two more for a hat trick.

Matty Gay scored a pair, while Berglund, Bryant Macias, Matt Ratto, Anaya and Justin Scott collected one each.

In the title bout, the conditions were brutal and both sides took advantage with the wind at their backs.

Macias just missed a header, and a 10-foot volley in the last minute of play.

Ripon also hit the crossbar once.

“Vacaville was definitely the biggest and best skilled team we faced,” DeBruyn said. “They controlled the first half, and we took the second. Their keeper was huge and had a long wing span. He made a bunch of nice saves.

“We played well, but we’re still piecing the puzzle together.”

Ripon (6-1) host Millenium Tuesday before heading to Calaveras Thursday.

The Knights finished a busy tournament 3-2.

Ben DeRuiter finished the tournament with 24 saves, while Steve Vander Molen found net three times.

Scott Faure had three goals, and Tim Hoeksema finished with two goals and two assists.
Jonathan Sanny had a goal and an assist.

RC (4-2-1) faces Big Valley Thursday at home.

The RC Tournament kicks off Sept. 12.