RIPON — It was an upset in the making for the first 60 minutes of Ripon’s Trans-Valley League tussle with Hughson at Stouffer Field on Wednesday.
A freshman helped right the ship for the Indians, who shook out of their early rut to rally for a 4-1 victory. Tianna Sidtikun was in on every goal for Ripon (4-1 TVL, 8-4-1 overall), assisting the first three and scoring the last.
“It was 60 minutes of ugly followed by 20 minutes of beauty,” Ripon assistant coach Bryce Perkins said. “That’s just how went.”
Hughson (3-3, 8-5-2) was energized at the outset after a fortunate roll gave it a one-goal lead that held up for much of the match. In the second minute, Morgan Ehlers took a shot from the right wing that Ripon keeper Alyssa Thweat routinely stops. It instead snuck into the goal after skipping between her legs.
“That gave them some life,” Perkins said. “They started playing over their heads and did a good job of holding us for a half.”
The trend continued until the midway point of the second half, when Sidtikun dished a through ball to Megan Johnson for the equalizer. Johnson’s attempt deflected off a defender before settling into the net.
Sidtikun wasn’t done yet.
Just six minutes later, she dashed past the Hughson defense from the right flank and delivered a perfect cross for Cindy Alvarez. Johnson struck again in the 75th after receiving another through ball from Sidtikun, juking by a defender for a routine 1-on-1 opportunity.
Maddie Pugh, who had a shot carom off the crossbar in the opening half, set up Sidtikun’s goal, a laser shot from about 25 yards out. Sidtikun nearly scored again moments later, narrowly missing on a header.
“Those were some nice put-aways,” Perkins said.
Ripon hosts Riverbank on Friday for a make-up match.
Valley Oak League
Manteca 5, Oakdale 0
OAKDALE — The Buffaloes (4-1 VOL, 10-3-1 overall) picked up their sixth shutout in seven games on Tuesday. Tawny Deerinck kept the sheet clean with four saves.
Leading the attack were Jocelyn Reyes and Sarah Vegas with two goals apiece. Madison Burch finished with a goal and two assists. Kaitlynn Funsch assisted the final goal of the game scored by Vegas.
The Buffaloes have two tough road games in three days starting with Central Catholic tonight. They then travel across town for a make-up match with East Union on Saturday.
