Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg finally got to see his roster at full strength, while Ripon’s Bryce Perkins was down five key players who are out of town for winter break.
Both were pleased with what they saw out of their sides in a non-league tilt Thursday morning at Ripon’s Wes Stouffer Field. Each team scored off deflections in the 1-1 stalemate.
Danielle Rey gave the host Indians (5-3-2) an early lead in the 12th minute. She followed up on Olivia Maragos’ direct kick that was parried by Keira McCulley, who debuted as Manteca’s goalie.
Manteca (3-6-3) answered six minutes later, as Kailee Jackson put away the equalizer after Leslie Gutierrez’s initial shot was blocked by a defender.
Ripon had the better opportunities in the first half, but the Buffaloes had the edge in both possession and shots in the second stanza. All in all, it was a fair result for two clubs still trying to solidify themselves as they shift back to league play.
Manteca was coming off four straight defeats in which it was outscored, 17-2. The Buffaloes’ last three opponents are ranked in the top 12 of the Sac-Joaquin Section by MaxPreps, and Ripon — checking in at No. 18 — presented them with another challenge.
“Definitely took some bumps, but I’m proud of how the girls responded this week,” Coenenberg said. “We had two really good practices, so I was excited to kind of build off that and kind of get a fresh start here going into 2025. I think we came out and had a really good showing today.”
His Buffaloes got a boost with the additions of sophomore midfielder Kayla Spencer and McCulley. Spencer missed the first 11 matches with an ankle injury, and her hold-up play and distribution played a big part in Manteca controlling much of the second half.
“Getting Makayla Spencer makes a huge difference for us,” Coenenberg said. “With the way she controls the midfield and the way KK (Jackson) creates, we were just able to create a lot more chances than we have been.”
Manteca has struggled offensively after graduating two of its top three scorers from last season and is much younger with only three seniors in the program. Returning junior forward/attacking midfielder Joanna Roa is out for the year with a knee injury.
McCulley had a strong first showing as between the posts for Manteca, finishing with five saves. She sat out the first month of the season after transferring from Oakdale.
Manteca’s back line, led by senior Serenity Cerritos, did well to limit Maragos’ chances. Ripon’s best scoring threat was still a factor in the result, as it was she who drew the foul in a dangerous area for the set piece.
“They knew who Olivia was and pretty much put two book ends on her,” Perkins said. “Anytime she had an opportunity, she had two or three people on her closing down. We’re getting to (a point) where we don’t have to rely on her so much, but we have to keep getting shots for other girls.”
Ellena Parrenti helped Ripon preserve the tie with three saves, all in the second half. She denied Jackson with a one-handed, diving deflection in the 56th minute.
Ripon continues its Trans-Valley League title defense today against Orestimba back at home.
“I think it was a good tune-up for our last nine games. It’s all TVL games from here on,” Perkins said. “We don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves, but I think we’ll be really competitive against this year, and that’s the kind of game that lets us know what some of these tougher games will be like. I think that’s the type of action we’re going to see.
“Also, I have so many kids out for family vacations, so it gave me a chance to move the chess pieces around and try girls at new places they haven’t played before, and I have discovered some things I might stay with.”
Manteca has another non-league tilt today against Modesto at Johansen and returns to Valley Oak League play next Wednesday with visiting Patterson.
