River Islands dominated on both sides of the ball Thursday night against the Mustangs of Mountain House, securing a 25-0 shutout victory in the first game played in the Riptide’s now-completed stadium.

“It felt really good to come out here and play the way we did in front of this crowd,” Riptide head coach Joe Cataline said. “We saw flashes of this type of performance on both sides of the ball last year, but to put together a complete game like this just shows the hard work and preparation these girls have put in coming into this year.”

River Islands, (0-0, 1-0) came into the opener without its starting quarterback Analeyah Trigos, who went down in the ‘Tide’s Foundation Game at Enochs earlier in the week. The depth of Cataline’s squad was on display, however, as he turned to senior standout wide receiver Tava Orndoff to lead the offense from under center. Orndoff answered the call going 15 of 20 through the air for 138 yards and three passing touchdowns to go along with 51 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown.

“I was excited to get the opportunity,” Orndoff said. “I have always believed in my abilities and trust my teammates to make plays to support me, and they definitely did that tonight.”

The night did not get off to the start Cataline and Orndoff would have hoped after the Mustangs (0-0, 0-1) intercepted the fourth pass of the game from the senior signal caller. In what would be a theme in the game, the River Islands defense responded with a big play of its own with an interception by sophomore defensive back Jannat Sodhi, whose flag football career got off to a flying start.

“We knew in that spot we needed to pick our offense up, and I was happy to have a chance to make that play and get us going,” Sodhi said. “There were obviously some jitters being my first ever game, but they went away, and I was able to make some plays.”

Sodhi’s grand debut would get even better just four plays later, as she brought in a pass from Orndoff from 6 yards out to put River Islands up 6-0 late in the first quarter. The touchdown reception was the first of two on the evening for Sodhi.

The swarming River Islands defense continued to stifle Mountain House throughout the first half, getting the ball back quickly for the offense on multiple occasions. Orndoff would capitalize on the opportunities finding senior receiver Brianna Lee from 26 yards out to double the lead before taking a quarterback keeper in from 1 yard out just before the halftime whistle to send the ‘Tide into the break up, 18-0.

The River Islands defense managed to hold the Mustangs to just 34 yards in the first half while racking up 138 yards of their own.

At times, it looked as if River Islands had more players on defense, as Mountain House quarterback Elizabeth Ledesma struggled to find receivers in space. Junior Kalina Rodrigues and senior Sophia Tovar Delgado made things difficult for Ledesma all night long forcing difficult third and long situations.

“We were really thriving off of one another out there tonight,” Sophia Tovar Delgado said. “It was important to us to secure the shutout and start this season off with a complete performance.”

For Cataline, Thursday’s opener is a direct reflection of his team’s character and something they can look to build off of moving forward throughout the season.

“This is just a really, really great group of girls that deserve everything they’ve worked for,” he said. “I’ve been coaching for 26 years now, and I’m having as much fun with this group of girls as I ever have.”

River Islands will look to build upon its 1-0 start next week with a pair of home games, Tuesday against Galt and Thursday against West of Tracy.

“We know its going to be a long, tough season,” Orndoff said. “This is a close group that will make sure to pick each other up — if we do that, we should be just fine.”

Lathrop 7, Kimball 6

Lathrop (1-1) didn’t wait long to bounce back from its season-opening loss to Manteca.

JaLeiyah Ray’s extra-point completion to Tianna Gonzalez was the difference for the host Spartans, who knocked off the defending Tri-City Athletic League champion. Faith Allen scored the touchdown and had three sacks on defense.

Madilyn Nugnaray led the defense with 11 flag pulls. Marianna Coon, Arlette Quiorez and Sareah Reed contributed nine apiece.

Junior varsity

Lathrop 7, Kimball 6

Vanesscia Rodriguez got Lathrop on the board with a 16-yard scamper, which was followed by Alexia Garcia’s go-ahead conversion run.

Clarissa Garcia secured the win with an interception. She also pulled five flags.