Ripon Christian’s girls soccer team will defend its Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI championship after ousting fifth-seeded Bradshaw Christian 1-0 in the semifinal round Thursday.
Tatum Sonke netted the winner just 38 seconds into the second half, working off a pass from fellow junior captain Alanna Blanco. Goalkeeper Morgan Schenk and the defense took it from there, securing the clean sheet and the victory for the top-seeded Knights (14-8-1).
“I’m so proud of our team, especially our defensive effort,” Ripon Christian coach David Morris said. “Bradshaw Christian is an extremely talented team that we knew would test us to the max. We’re thrilled to come away with a win and a chance to defend our section title.”
Bradshaw Christian (9-10-5), which lost to Ripon Christian in the semifinals for a second straight year, had many opportunities to score and controlled the run of play in the first half. Schenk finished with 14 saves.
Mother Lode League runner-up Big Valley Christian (13-4-2) will meet Ripon Christian in the final Saturday at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. The two teams previously met in a non-league game on Jan. 3, with RC rolling to a 3-0 victory.
Big Valley routed No. 3 Golden Sierra in the other semifinal, 4-0.
BOYS SOCCER
Millennium 3, Ripon Christian 1
The Knights’ remarkable season came to an end Thursday at Tracy High, where they came up short against top-seeded Millennium (16-4-4) in the SJS Division VI semifinals. The Falcons face No. 2 Bradshaw Christian (14-7-1) at 9 Saturday morning at Cosumnes River College.
Ricky Van Unen scored the lone goal for Ripon Christian (11-5-6) and was assisted by Isaiah Vander Woude. Goalie Wesley Vander Woude collected five saves.
Ripon Christian, which qualified for the postseason for the first time in 10 years, had a five-game winning streak snapped and had gone 10 consecutive matches without a loss.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Liberty Ranch 54, Ripon 36
In Galt, No. 9 Ripon (19-11) held one early lead but ultimately could not keep with the Division IV top-seeded Hawks (27-2), who held the Trans-Valley League champion to single-digit scoring in each of the first two quarters for a commanding 31-11 halftime advantage.
The Indians had no answer for 5-foot-10 junior guard Haley Smith, who burned them for 23 points. Kendall Duryee and Madisyn Robbins contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Kaylee Lehmkuhl produced 13 points for Ripon, and Lela Sanchez pitched in nine on three second-half 3-pointers.
Liberty Ranch hosts No. 4 West Campus (24-4) in the semifinals next Tuesday.
Argonaut 56, Ripon Christian 44
Sixth-seeded Ripon Christian (10-13) had its season end in the SJS Division VI quarterfinals.
Brynn Begovich led three Argonaut players in double figures with 15 points. The No. 3 Mustangs (19-11) travel to No. 2 Woodland Christian (25-5) on Tuesday.
