RIPON — Locked in a 2-2 tie in the closing seconds of the first quarter, Ripon’s Molly Burton bulled in the first of three consecutive goals for the Indians who pulled away for a 15-5 Valley Oak League win Wednesday over Oakdale at the Ervin Zador Aquatics Complex.
Oakdale won the varsity boys game, 10-4.
“That was really a turning point in our game,” Burton said. “Because in the beginning we were very sluggish and it took us working together as a team for one play to get it into gear.
“We ended up playing the game that we wanted to play instead of letting them determine how we played.”
After Burton (four goals, two steals) got her last-second goal in the first period, Lilly Crew (five steals, three goals) got a quick rebound goal followed with a goal by Haven Fasani (two goals) put the first-place Indians (4-0 VOL, 11-1 overall) ahead 5-2.
“Oakdale has had a good, dynamic, strong team for a long time,” Ripon coach Eric Zador said. “Our girls have always had a hard time with them and I think they get a little nervous at the beginning.
“It was a slow start, a little messy, but we got it squared away.”
Lauren McGowan (three steals) and Kaylee Medeiros (steal) added two goals each for the Indians with Amy Bacay and Ashtyne Topie each getting a goal apiece.
In the boys match, Ripon (3-1, 5-9) had no answer for a suffocating Mustangs defense and Oakdale’s Stash Perry.
“We emphasize press lane defense in our program,” Mustangs coach Savannah Martin said. “And that is what we came into the game hoping to focus on and the boys really brought it.
“He (Perry) is an excellent player. He has been playing since he was a little kid and has played for a lot of different coaches – I am just the most recent one. He is a huge talent and a huge leader.”
Perry (six goals, seven steals) got the first four goals of the game for Oakdale (4-0, 11-3). The Mustangs made 20 steals.
“We were not getting past the half on offense,” Ripon coach Christine Zador said. “Their guys were in the lanes. They were strong and they were big. They were confident in their movement and predicting the passing. We couldn’t get position in the hole set and because of that our offense on the perimeter fell short. We did a lot to prepare but we were not prepared for that type of defense. They ran our clock down every time.
“No. 14 (Perry) single-handedly beat us in that game. He is huge, he would steal the ball from either direction. He could attack from two body lengths away.”
Oakdale led 3-2 at the end of the first quarter and did not allow another goal until the fourth quarter.
Kaleb Hinrichsen scored two goals for the Indians with Jake Chapin and Kai West each adding one goal.

Junior varsity girls
Ripon 13, Oakdale 4
The Indians jumped out to a 7-0 lead and coasted to the win.
Hailey Knief scored five goals for Ripon, Kennedy Brubaker four, Mia Lopez two and Taylor Blair two.