Manteca’s resurgent boys soccer team picked up an important win Wednesday at Woodward Park, knocking off Oakdale 5-1 behind Fernando Lopez’s first career hat trick.
With four postseason qualifiers coming out of the Valley Oak League, the Buffaloes (2-3 VOL, 8-13-1 overall) are currently in fourth place and positioned to make their first playoff appearance since the fall 2013 season.
“The progress we've made as a program in the last few months has been exciting to see,” Manteca coach James Burns said. “We're competing at a high level, and tactically, we're starting to figure some things out. Tonight, the boys showed up for one another and didn't stop playing until the final whistle.”
Lopez, who ran his team-leading goal-scoring total 11, got the Buffs rolling 6 minutes into the match and capped his hat trick in the second half.
Johan Galarza doubled Manteca’s early lead to 2-0, which held until halftime, scoring shortly after entering as a sub. Manny Ramirez struck in the second half for his first varsity goal. Freshman goalie Alberto Gutierrez made his varsity debut and finished with four saves.
Alvaro Castro, Kai Masudi and Yhair Martinez each contributed an assist.
“What you won't see on the scoresheet are the connections and passes and individual wins all over the field that allowed Fernando and the others to have those moments,” Burns said. “We played well as a team tonight. There was a lot of love on the field and in our bench area.”
Sierra 5, Central Catholic 0
Coming off its big win over East Union, the Timberwolves (4-0-1 VOL, 8-4-3 overall) picked up another shutout in Modesto.
Emmanuel Ruiz spearheaded the blowout with a brace, while Mason Zeiher contributed a goal and an assist. Hugo Reyes and Oswaldo Sanchez chipped in a goal each. Christian Gonzalez and Diego Lopez chipped in with assists.
Kimball 2, East Union 1
It was a back-and-forth affair between the reigning VOL co-champions in Tracy.
The visiting Lancers (3-2, 11-9-1 overall) were ultimately thwarted by Kimball goalkeeper Sahib Sandhu, who came up with big saves in both halves.
They had several opportunities to tie it in the final 10 minutes, none better than the two headers on the same play in the 78th minute. EU goalie Andres Garcia booted a free kick headed by Giovanni Perez, whose shot hit the crossbar. Alexis Berber followed it up with another strong head shot off the carom, but that went directly to the keeper.
East Union scored the first goal in the 23rd minute when Ethan Mamorno volleyed a pass from Berber. Kimball (4-0-1, 9-1-1) quickly answered in the 26th and 28th minutes.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
East Union 59, Oakdale 40
Zyondupree Beasley paced a balanced scoring effort for the visiting Lancers (5-0 VOL, 20-3 overall) with 13 points.
Nylah Dyson and Donnese Payne added 12 points apiece. Jayda Anderson and Alexa Zuniga each had eight. East Union led 21-16 after the first quarter and kept the Mustangs (2-3, 8-13) in single digits for each of the next three.
Brooke Wheat scored 18 points for Oakdale.
Lathrop 48, Los Banos 35
The Spartans (5-2, 15-7 overall) jumped out to a 15-7 first-quarter lead en route to a much-needed Western Athletic Conference road win.
Tatiana Lowery knocked down four 3s for Lathrop, finishing with 20 points, three assists, three rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Shakara Porter produced 12 points and 10 boards. Rianna Delacruz added six points three rebounds and three steals. Marianna Delgado pitched in seven rebounds to go with five points and two steals.
America Ordunez paced Los Banos (3-4, 12-9) with 17 points but was held to four in the first half.
Riverbank 44, Ripon Christian 25
Ripon Christian (2-3 Trans-Valley League, 10-8 overall) trailed 25-9 at halftime and could not keep pace with the visiting Bruins (4-1, 13-4).
Maddie Yonker netted 17 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks for the Knights.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Ripon Christian 55, Riverbank 35
The Knights (4-1 TVL, 14-6 overall) broke it open with a 13-1 run early in the second quarter, leading to a 27-16 halftime lead.
Jace Beidleman controlled the paint, finishing with 18 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks. Sophomore Jake Vander Veen fired 16 points to go with seven boards and four assists.
Luke Crivello added nine points, six rebounds and three assists. Amos Cady had six points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
JV boys soccer
Manteca 1, Oakdale 1
Sean Lockwood knotted it for the Buffaloes, finishing after receiving a through ball from Eli Navarro.
JV girls basketball
Los Banos 54, Lathrop 27
The visiting Spartans could not overcome early turnovers and a 20-4 first-quarter deficit.
Erin Chunn had six points and four rebounds. Kriselle Matela chimed in with five points and four boards. Kira Davis collected 14 rebounds o go with four points.
East Union 52, Oakdale 30
Bellah Crabb had a monster effort on the road, amassing 35 points and 11 steals.
Jerney Luckett pitched in seven points and four steals. Samantha Escamilla added four points and four steals.
Frosh girls basketball
Los Banos 29, Lathrop 26
Hazel Beltran and Taylor Rios led Lathrop with nine and eight points, respectively. The Spartans fell to 4-2 in league.
