Joanna Roa and Alexia Alva each scored a goal, and Haylie Brasil preserved the shutout with two big saves in the second half of Manteca’s 2-0 first-round win over No. 14 Del Campo in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs Saturday.
The third-seeded Buffaloes (22-2-3) hosted the game at Sierra, and they’ll return to Daniel Teicheira Memorial Stadium on Wednesday when they take on No. 6 Christian Brothers (9-4-5).
“We played pretty well, but about halfway through the first half we started to play a little sloppy and playing too many long balls,” Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg said. “Second half, we were able to make the adjustments and build the attack.”
Roa scored in the first half with a header off a corner-kick cross from Makayla Spencer. Alva broke through in the second half with a 1v1 opportunity after being hounded for much of the game by the Del Campo defense. Alva is the fifth-leading scorer in the SJS.
The Cougars (6-10-2) from Fair Oaks threatened to get back in the game minutes later, drawing a penalty kick. Brasil blocked the PK and later parried a dangerous free kick over the cross bar to keep the sheet clean. She finished with five saves.
“That was without a doubt her biggest night of the year,” Coenenberg said. He also lauded the efforts of defenders Serenity Ceritos, Gina Hirle Tatiana Orozco and Jaylyn Ruiz.
Roseville 1, Sierra 0
The No. 9 Timberwolves (14-7-6) had a scoring chance in the opening minute on Saturday, but had it denied by the Roseville goalkeeper.
That was just a sign of things to come, as Sierra could not find the back of the net despite winning the possession battle and getting several good looks at the goal. The No. 8 Tigers scored the lone goal in the 45th minute.
Sierra finished with 13 shots, four on goal. Zoe Sandoval came up with three saves.
Roseville (5-6-4) plays intra-city foe and top-seeded West Park (11-2-3) in the quarterfinals.
DIVISION VI
Ripon Christian 5, Esparto 0
Sophomore Alanna Blanco scored three first-half goals for the top-seeded Knights (20-3-1), who led 4-0 at halftime.
Addison DeJong capped the barrage with a penalty kick and assisted Blanco’s first two goals. Brooke Barnes helped her complete the hat trick with a through ball.
Dayna Koolhaas had the lone tally of the second half, converting on a PK. Senior goalie Tara Heida and the defense held for the shutout.
“I was really happy with how we played from back to front,” Coach David Morris said. “Our defense led the Southern league with fewest goals conceded, so to get a first-round shutout while our offense clicked together so well made for a great team win.”
The Knights host No. 4 Bradshaw Christian (6-12-3) in the semifinals on Wednesday.
DIVISION IV
Dixon 5, Lathrop 1
Seeded 12th, Lathrop (10-8-4) could not keep up with the Golden Empire League tri-champion Rams (18-6), who led 3-1 at halftime Monday at Dixon City Field. Senior forward Janessa Ward scored Lathrop's lone goal in the first half.
It’s the second postseason appearance for the Spartans, who previously lost to Dixon in the opening round in the 2019 playoffs.
Dixon (18-6) head to Liberty Ranch on Wednesday.
