RIPON — Rivals Ripon and Ripon Christian both had reasons to feel good about their efforts when they squared off in the opening round of the 38th annual Jerry Terpsma Classic on Friday.
It was a match thoroughly controlled by visiting Ripon, which had four different goal scorers in the 4-0 victory. The Indians (2-1-1) encounter Orestimba (1-3) in the winner’s-bracket semifinal today at 11. The winner plays for the championship at the Ripon Christian Athletic Complex starting at 2 p.m.
“In the first half we started out a little rusty,” first-year Ripon coach Roberto Alvarez said. “I just told them to slow it down, start getting to our spots and the game will become a lot easier.
“The second half was a big difference. We moved the ball and created better chances. All in all, the guys played great. We’ve only had a few games together with the system I’m trying to teach them and they’re getting it.”
Ripon, which had an overwhelming 35-3 advantage on shot attempts, pieced together quick-striking breakaway attacks to get the offense going at the start. Alfredo Lemon converted a routine one-on-one after controlling a through ball from Hector Gonzalez in the 10th minute.
Gonzalez scored one of his own in the 23rd minute and was set up by Ricardo Alvarez on another counterattack.
Ripon aimed to be more methodical in the second half. Noel Valerio punctuated one impressive sequence with a goal in the 47th minute. The Indians played the ball back to the defense and worked it from touch line to touch line before inching their way toward the goal. Will Stanford finally delivered a negative pass to Valerio at the top of the 18-yard line, and with a quick turn Valerio blasted it into the net.
Stanford capped scoring in the 56th minute.
“We try to possess the ball, but we have to be more patient with it,” coach Alvarez said. “If we keep working it the opportunities will open up. It doesn’t always have to be forward, forward, forward; let’s pick our moments and they will come.
“Those type of plays we work on in practice and when it’s beautiful when they can translate into the game.”
For Ripon Christian (0-4), it was a much-improved showing compared to past matches. Part of it is attributed to recent additions from the football team, which had its season end last Friday, Nov. 30 in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI championship game.
John Van Vliet did well to limit the damage at goal, tallying 12 saves. Nathan Litfin had Ripon Christian’s best chance to score, but his shot midway through the first half was sent directly to Ripon keeper Payton Lockard.
“The first 15 or so minutes we could tell they were getting frustrated,” Ripon Christian coach Christian Manes said. “We wanted to come out and surprise these guys. We held them and that’s what we were looking to do, but a couple of errors led to their first couple goals. We were able to fix those errors in the second half and didn’t let that happen again.
“Now, our goal is to win the consolation title of our tournament.”
The Knights play Big Valley Christian, which lost 9-0 to Orestimba in the opener, this morning at 9:30.