In a span of 10 minutes, the Ripon High girls’ soccer team scored three times and got a gift own-goal from Hughson in Monday’s Trans-Valley League action at Stouffer Field.
“It took us a while to find our mojo,” said Indians coach Nicole Meyer after the 5-0 win.
Prior to that, Ripon (5-0 TVL, 10-3-1) led 1-0 entering the 70th minute thanks to first-half goal by Hailey Peterson. In the 23rd minute the freshman forward cashed on a rejected shot.
Hughson (1-3-1 TVL, 1-7-3) managed to play with more energy, according to Meyer.
The Huskies, who relied on their defense, had near-chances at scoring, with one shot hitting the crossbar in that first half.
The Indians had five shots at goal during that span including a breakaway attempt by Peterson, which was thwarted by the Hughson defense, in particular, the speedy Mackenzie Buck.
“That No. 9 (Buck) is really fast,” Meyer said.
Ahead 1-0 at the intermission, Ripon continued to have trouble putting together an attack.
Fortunately, the Huskies helped out. Peterson’s shot was accidentally kicked in for an own-goal by Mary Bacerra,
“I was finally able to breathe by then,” Meyer said.
It wasn’t long before her team did likewise.
In the 74th minute, Ariana Scholton converted a pass from Aubrey Pelon for a score, making it 3-0.
That same combination made it 4-0 about a minute later, with Pelon setting up the fast-break scoring opportunity for Scholton.
Peterson had another assist, leading Kailey Tijero, who scored on the header.
“It was kick from the corner by Ariana,” said the sophomore defender / midfielder.
Tijero’s goal came at the 79th minute or with 10 seconds left in the game.
Meyer, in addition, praised the defense provided by the likes of Tijero, Chloe Ward, Kerra Chavez, Deanna Sandoval, and goalie Ashley Pugh.
East Union 10,
Central Catholic 0
The Lancers kept pace with Valley Oak League-leading Sierra High with a lopsided victory over the hapless Raiders on Monday.
Senior striker Jasmin Mejia led East Union (6-1 VOL, 12-2-1) with three goals and Cynthia Romero added a pair of scores.
“We just played our game,” said Lancers coach Carlos Gasper, who was able to play his entire team,
Taylor Campbell had a goal and an assist while Natasha Honore, Fatima Jauregui, and Taylor McMahon chipped in with a score each.
Gabriella Cruz added one goal and one assist, Hailey Sims had a pair of assists, and Savannah Hudson also contributed with an assist.
Honore, in addition, played goalie, taking over from Malia Allen and coming away with three saves in the process over Central Catholic (1-4-1 VOL, 1-10-1).
East Union will travel to Oakdale on Wednesday.
Manteca 2, Oakdale 2
The Buffaloes (3-2-2 VOL, 6-6-4) took an early lead only to see the Mustangs (2-3-2 VOL, 6-6-3) battle back with scores late in the first half and early second half.
Manteca scored on Isabella Avila, who converted a corner kick from Jordyn Silva.
Kaley Miller made it 2-0, taking a through pass from Avila, who was credited with the assist.
The tide shifted in favor of Oakdale shortly before the half with a goal to show for it
“They took that momentum into the second half,” said Buffaloes coach Justin Coenenberg of the Mustangs.
His team had a 23-17 shot-on-goal advantage over Oakdale,
Manteca goalie Willow Stearns had eight saves and Aimee Meier played the position in the second half, coming up with five saves.
The Buffaloes will travel to Central Catholic on Wednesday.
Ceres 2, Lathrop 1
Despite the loss, the Spartans continue to control their Western Athletic Conference-post season destiny.
That’s according to coach Jose Montes, whose team came close to tying the game in the second half.
“We had a one shot called back on a penalty,” he said.
Lathrop (4-3 WAC, 5-6-1) scored its only goal in the 20th minute. Standout forward Kassandra Ceja took a through ball while maneuvering between three defenders.
“We had other scoring opportunities,” Montes said. “We couldn’t get the ball in the net.
“We also missed on a penalty kick.”
