River Islands has a chance to have both of its soccer teams in the playoffs for the first time.
The Riptide girls have already secured their second berth in as many varsity seasons, while the boys are one more positive result away.
The boys had a chance to lock down an automatic bid Monday but settled for a scoreless draw with Vanguard College Prep.
They wrap up Central California Athletic Alliance play today at Hughes Academy of Stockton. A win or a tie leaves the Riptide boys (8-4-1, 9-8-3 overall) in third place on win percentage, and a top-three finish guarantees a playoff bid. River Islands can also earn an at-large berth by finishing in the top 15 of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V rankings on MaxPreps. The Riptide came into the week at No. 15.
“It would mean a lot (to qualify),” River Islands senior defender and captain Yovany Avila said. “The first two years, we did not do very well. First year, no wins. Second year, we got some wins, but not enough. Now, we’re almost in the playoffs. To get here and make this last push to make it, it feels good.”
The Riptide has come a long way since its varsity debut last season, finishing seventh out of eight teams in the CCAA with a 4-15-1 overall record.
“Overall, it came down to the players,” River Islands coach Chris Loera said. “I think, ultimately, without the players improving, there is no run for the playoffs. There is no run to compete. My job is training to put make sure the players are set up for success, and what they do with that is up to them. So all these results, I think it’s a credit to all the hard work they’ve put in, for sure.”
Their postseason hopes nearly took a big hit in the middle of the second half on Monday.
The Lions (7-4-3, 12-6-3) from Modesto had two corner kicks in the 62nd minute and was inches away from converting on the second attempt. Diego Meza got off a clean head shot inside box, and River Islands goalie Akai Henderson parried it away but off the inside of the left post. Noah Castillo was there to clear it away from danger.
Vanguard College Prep had another set piece just moments later but again came up empty-handed.
River Islands was on the front foot in the final 10 minutes, earning two corner kicks, while Trinath Nallamalli, Kaldi Dover and Jaiden Reynoso combined on multiple threatening sequences.
While the Riptide would have preferred the win, coach Chris Loera was satisfied with the result, considering his back line isn’t at full strength. In fact, Avila, slowed by an injured knee, had to come out early in the game and didn’t return.
“Our captain went down in the first 10 minutes, and he’s been the anchor that helps the team the entire game,” Loera said. “We’re missing two other defenders, so the back line was kind of put together last minute and people needed to step up. The players off the bench that normally don’t play a lot of minutes stepped up today. It’s a massive credit overall to what we have on the depth of this team.”
River Islands’ girls were supposed to close out their season Monday, but Vanguard College Prep forfeited the league finale.
The Riptide (11-3, 12-12-1) already had the third playoff bid in hand, capping a much improved campaign from last year. It took fourth in the CCAA and finished 6-11-3 overall but sneaked into the SJS Division V playoffs as an at-large qualifier. As a No. 12 seed, River Islands was knocked out by No. 5 Argonaut 10-0 in the opening round. The Mustangs ended up in the semifinals.
An influx of young talent has spearheaded the rise of the ‘Tide. Freshman Violet Castillo (20 goals, 12 assists) has joined returning sophomores Serena Mendoza (16 goals, 11 assists) and Cierra Torres (14 goals, 16 assists) and juniors Angelina Trigos (11 goals, 16 assists) and Sophia Tovar Delgado (six goals, 14 assists) in the attack.
First-year senior goalkeeper Ava Rodriguez has also been a welcome addition on a team that is otherwise very young. In fact, she is one of just three seniors. She’s supported on the back end by defenders Arianna Vega-Silva and Ashley Rodriguez, who are the only seniors to be part of the program since its inception as a JV-only team two years ago.
“The biggest thing is the work that these girls have put in,” River Islands girls coach Marcus Miller said. “Having the JV program to help feed into the varsity program has been huge. It all comes down to the girls’ work ethic and the trust in me to kind of lead them the right way.
“Another big thing for us this year has been, knock on wood, we’ve stayed somewhat healthy. Last year, we were going into games with none or 10 players. Having an actual program now really, really helps. We had 33 kids at tryouts this year, which is a big jump from last year — we had 13. We’re excited for what the future holds here.”
As for the present, Miller and the Riptide await the posting of the playoff brackets from the section, which will release them on Wednesday. Play-in games are on Thursday, and opening-round contests are set for Friday for the girls. The boys playoffs begin Saturday with play-in games on Friday.
“We have a little bit of experience this year, so we want to get that first playoff win,” Miller said. “We would really like that for the seniors, two of them I’ve had for three years now.”
