RIPON — Ripon High’s 7-0 girls soccer win over Ripon Christian may be routine for some, but there was significance behind Monday’s Trans Valley League contest.
For one, it marked the final meeting between the small-town rivals in conference play, with Ripon Christian (2-9-2, 8-9-3) heading to the Southern League next season.
For Ripon (12-0-1, 16-2-2), it was a final bow for the tone setting senior class that has turned into a well-oiled machine that now expects to perform at a high level no matter how hard it is hit by graduation losses.
The Indians’ seven seniors were honored before the team’s final regular-season home match at Park View Elementary. Five of them scored on Monday, and three of the seniors were a part of all four TVL title runs during the school’s most dominant stretch in girls soccer.
Ripon clinched its fourth straight championship with Monday’s win, and there is still two games left to be played with third-place Hughson Wednesday and runner-up Escalon next Monday.
“We have no pressure on us,” Ripon assistant coach Bryce Perkins said. “We can go into our last two games and have some fun, but we would like to go undefeated heading into the playoffs and go after our fourth-consecutive 20-win season.”
Forwards Renae McFadden (goal, assist), Kallie Jacobs (two goals, two assists) and goalkeeper Morgan Unger-Torres (three saves) left their marks Monday and are Ripon’s three four-year varsity starters.
Senior classmates Thalia Bobadilla, Judy Loogman and Megan Ratto each chimed in with a goal. The seventh senior is starting fullback Kelsey Meeuwse, who helped Unger-Torres notch her 42nd career shutout.
Ratto’s goal was set up by Katherine Ratto (two assists) in the 79th minute. Lauren Goeppert added an assist of her own. McFadden ran her program-leading goal total to 305.
Ripon Christian will look to close the season strong with some winnable games ahead. The improving Knights will take on Riverbank Wednesday and Modesto Christian next Monday, both on the road, before setting their sights on the SL, where they should be more competitive in future years.
“As our season comes to a close, we still have two games that we can get wins from, and we’re hoping to do just that,” RC coach Travis Haveman said. “We have a chance to get a historical high for wins this year. The girls will be ready to go.”
Sierra momentarily moves into first place with one regular-season match remaining, but the team will get a better idea of where it stands after second-place Manteca and third-place Oakdale clash today. Sierra needs Manteca to tie or lose at least one of its final two matches, the next being against playoff hopeful East Union, to have a chance to win the title.
Sierra recognized seniors Moriah Fallon, Rebecca Scott, Mariela Pimentel, Delaine Quaresma, Lacy Vaughan and Nicole Bettencourt before the match Monday.
Fallon, the team’s goalie, got to see action on the field and contributed a goal and an assist to the attack. Bettencourt matched Fallon’s offensive production, while Pimentel also scored a goal.
Sierra also got a glimpse of the future, with sophomore Joanna Ortiz pouring in two goals and two assists. Stephanie Vanni scored twice and assisted another. Sydnee Koscielecki added an assist.
For one, it marked the final meeting between the small-town rivals in conference play, with Ripon Christian (2-9-2, 8-9-3) heading to the Southern League next season.
For Ripon (12-0-1, 16-2-2), it was a final bow for the tone setting senior class that has turned into a well-oiled machine that now expects to perform at a high level no matter how hard it is hit by graduation losses.
The Indians’ seven seniors were honored before the team’s final regular-season home match at Park View Elementary. Five of them scored on Monday, and three of the seniors were a part of all four TVL title runs during the school’s most dominant stretch in girls soccer.
Ripon clinched its fourth straight championship with Monday’s win, and there is still two games left to be played with third-place Hughson Wednesday and runner-up Escalon next Monday.
“We have no pressure on us,” Ripon assistant coach Bryce Perkins said. “We can go into our last two games and have some fun, but we would like to go undefeated heading into the playoffs and go after our fourth-consecutive 20-win season.”
Forwards Renae McFadden (goal, assist), Kallie Jacobs (two goals, two assists) and goalkeeper Morgan Unger-Torres (three saves) left their marks Monday and are Ripon’s three four-year varsity starters.
Senior classmates Thalia Bobadilla, Judy Loogman and Megan Ratto each chimed in with a goal. The seventh senior is starting fullback Kelsey Meeuwse, who helped Unger-Torres notch her 42nd career shutout.
Ratto’s goal was set up by Katherine Ratto (two assists) in the 79th minute. Lauren Goeppert added an assist of her own. McFadden ran her program-leading goal total to 305.
Ripon Christian will look to close the season strong with some winnable games ahead. The improving Knights will take on Riverbank Wednesday and Modesto Christian next Monday, both on the road, before setting their sights on the SL, where they should be more competitive in future years.
“As our season comes to a close, we still have two games that we can get wins from, and we’re hoping to do just that,” RC coach Travis Haveman said. “We have a chance to get a historical high for wins this year. The girls will be ready to go.”
Valley Oak League
Sierra 7, Lathrop 0
The defending VOL champion Timberwolves (12-1-2, 16-5-2) are in wait-and-see-mode after drubbing first-year Lathrop on Senior Night Monday.Sierra 7, Lathrop 0
Sierra momentarily moves into first place with one regular-season match remaining, but the team will get a better idea of where it stands after second-place Manteca and third-place Oakdale clash today. Sierra needs Manteca to tie or lose at least one of its final two matches, the next being against playoff hopeful East Union, to have a chance to win the title.
Sierra recognized seniors Moriah Fallon, Rebecca Scott, Mariela Pimentel, Delaine Quaresma, Lacy Vaughan and Nicole Bettencourt before the match Monday.
Fallon, the team’s goalie, got to see action on the field and contributed a goal and an assist to the attack. Bettencourt matched Fallon’s offensive production, while Pimentel also scored a goal.
Sierra also got a glimpse of the future, with sophomore Joanna Ortiz pouring in two goals and two assists. Stephanie Vanni scored twice and assisted another. Sydnee Koscielecki added an assist.
— Jonamar Jacinto
