RIPON – The Ripon High girls soccer team doesn’t have the flashy striker with video-game numbers or a fresh Sac-Joaquin Section championship banner blowing in its corner.

It does, however, have a deep and balanced attack capable of stymieing one of the section’s top small-school programs.

Five different players found the back of the net and the Indians’ backline blanketed striker Abby Buitrago in a 6-0 victory over the Knights on Tuesday evening.

Kaydee Cruz scored two goals and assisted on another, while goalie Courtney Slamon made her first varsity victory a memorable one. She preserved the clean sheet with three saves, and then let a multi-prong attack pick apart the Knights.

Ripon scored back-to-back goals in a one-minute span, stretched the cushion to 3-0 at the 15-minute mark, and led comfortably at the intermission.

Kaydee Cruz, Amanda Evens, Hailey Monroe, Gia Helppie and Alaina Cornilsen tallied first-half goals for Ripon, now 2-0. Megan Johnson set up two of those goals and finished with three assists for the game.

Cruz, Megan Harlan and Cindy Alvarez also had assists.

Ripon has outscored its first two opponents 12-1.

“We knew it was important to put pressure on them right from the start,” Ripon coach Jamie DeBruyn said. “Our possession and attack allowed us to score some quick goals. We have had eight different goal scorers in our first two games. We are able to utilize different players and still maintain our high level of play.”

Cruz closed the scoring with a strike in the 57th minute.

Ripon Christian, the defending Division VII champions, mustered just three shots on frame against their across-the-street neighbor.

The Knights (2-3), which lost only twice in 24 games last season, have dropped three straight games.

DeBruyn applauded the effort of his backline.

“Buitrago, for RC, is a talented strike,” he said. “It was a good team effort controlling her and earning (Slamon) her first win and shutout in goal for us.”



Franklin 2, Sierra 0

In Stockton, the short-handed Timberwolves struggled without three starters in a non-league loss.

Emma Broderick was peppered throughout and did her best to keep Sierra in the game, recording 15 saves.

The Timberwolves played without Kyndra Kiser, Brooke McKenzie and Jasmine Loaiza.



Edison 4, Weston Ranch 0

In Stockton, Weston Ranch fell behind early in its season opener against Edison, which scored three first-half goals.

The Cougars will host Chavez on Thursday. The varsity game gets underway at 6:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, Weston Ranch’s frosh-soph team was blanked by Edison, 2-0.



Lathrop 1, Linden 1

Notre Dame de Namur-bound forward Yaneli Avila scored the Spartans’ lone goal in the seventh minute, finishing a pass from Jasenya Barajas. Linden leveled the score in the 35th minute.

Callia Morales-Linnell showed her versatility, stepping between the pipes for Lathrop. She responded with 15 saves.



Frosh-Soph

Sierra 5, Franklin 0

In Stockton, Jennifer Rivera scored two goals and Yessica Salcedo had four saves for the Timberwolves. Daisy Valencia, Yolanda Tavares and Julissa Pimental (assist) also found the back of the net.



Linden 2, Lathrop 0

Noelle Smith has six saves in the loss.