RIPON — Ripon’s coaches were understandably concerned about facing second-place Hughson Wednesday with their best midfielder, Ariel Anaya, still sidelined with a sore knee.
Renae McFadden put their worries to rest in Anaya’s place in the middle. And Meredith Perkins proved capable of filling McFadden’s role of go-to striker.
Perkins capped a very productive week with two goals and one assist to lead the unbeaten Indians’ 4-0 victory in a battle between the Trans Valley League’s top contenders. Perkins had two goals and three assists in Monday’s 8-1 blowout of Ripon Christian.
“It’s nice to know we can hold our own against the best without Ariel,” Ripon assistant coach Bryce Perkins said.
McFadden assisted both of Perkins’ goals (33rd and 39th minutes) in the first half to help give Ripon (4-0, 11-0-1 overall) a 2-0 halftime lead.
McFadden recorded her team-high 19th goal of the season in the 74th minute off a deep through ball from sweeper Thalia Bobadilla.
Perkins found Kallie Jacobs with a nice cross to make it 3-0 in the 60th minute.
“Renae did a nice job of taking on that role of being more of a distributor than an attacker,” Perkins said. “She went through the entire first half without taking a shot.”
With the Indians doing the job from the midfield on up, the defensive back line of Kelsey Meeuswe, Tessa Spyksma, Kate Isganitis and Bobadilla clamped down on Hughson’s top goal scorers, Caitlin Adams and Bailey Tucker.
When opportunities did present themselves, the Huskies (2-1-1, 5-2-2), who were outshot 18-8, couldn’t get one past goalkeeper Morgan Torres-Unger. Three of Torres-Unger’s eight saves were high-bar tips, and she single-handedly stuffed a few one-on-one breakaways en route to recording her fifth shutout.
“The shutout really belongs to her, she had one heck of a night,” Perkins said.
Ripon next hosts Escalon Monday at Mistlin Park.
In Ripon, Kailee Adams got the scoring started for the Knights (0-3-1 TVL, 5-4-1), who ended with 28 shots on goal.
Down 4-2 with 10 minutes left, Rachael Kinser found Carla Van Vliet on a score, and Kayla Evans tied it on a 25-yard free kick.
“I was happy we were able to pull back into the game at the last minute, but I also feel we should have come out with a win,” RC head coach Travis Haveman said. “Their keeper performed very well.”
Renae McFadden put their worries to rest in Anaya’s place in the middle. And Meredith Perkins proved capable of filling McFadden’s role of go-to striker.
Perkins capped a very productive week with two goals and one assist to lead the unbeaten Indians’ 4-0 victory in a battle between the Trans Valley League’s top contenders. Perkins had two goals and three assists in Monday’s 8-1 blowout of Ripon Christian.
“It’s nice to know we can hold our own against the best without Ariel,” Ripon assistant coach Bryce Perkins said.
McFadden assisted both of Perkins’ goals (33rd and 39th minutes) in the first half to help give Ripon (4-0, 11-0-1 overall) a 2-0 halftime lead.
McFadden recorded her team-high 19th goal of the season in the 74th minute off a deep through ball from sweeper Thalia Bobadilla.
Perkins found Kallie Jacobs with a nice cross to make it 3-0 in the 60th minute.
“Renae did a nice job of taking on that role of being more of a distributor than an attacker,” Perkins said. “She went through the entire first half without taking a shot.”
With the Indians doing the job from the midfield on up, the defensive back line of Kelsey Meeuswe, Tessa Spyksma, Kate Isganitis and Bobadilla clamped down on Hughson’s top goal scorers, Caitlin Adams and Bailey Tucker.
When opportunities did present themselves, the Huskies (2-1-1, 5-2-2), who were outshot 18-8, couldn’t get one past goalkeeper Morgan Torres-Unger. Three of Torres-Unger’s eight saves were high-bar tips, and she single-handedly stuffed a few one-on-one breakaways en route to recording her fifth shutout.
“The shutout really belongs to her, she had one heck of a night,” Perkins said.
Ripon next hosts Escalon Monday at Mistlin Park.
Ripon Christian 4, Riverbank 4
In Ripon, Kailee Adams got the scoring started for the Knights (0-3-1 TVL, 5-4-1), who ended with 28 shots on goal.
Down 4-2 with 10 minutes left, Rachael Kinser found Carla Van Vliet on a score, and Kayla Evans tied it on a 25-yard free kick.
“I was happy we were able to pull back into the game at the last minute, but I also feel we should have come out with a win,” RC head coach Travis Haveman said. “Their keeper performed very well.”
— Jonamar Jacinto
