Alejandro Prietro’s late winner with just six minutes to go helped propel Ripon to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over host Ripon Christian on Wednesday at Memorial Stadium.
In the physical Trans-Valley League contest, the opportunity for Prietro and the Indians (2-0-1, 8-7-1) came when they earned a free kick just inside of midfield line.
Senior Richard Langfield delivered a ball into the box that caromed off of multiple players and Ripon Christian goalkeeper Wesley Vander Woude, falling to the feet of Prietro, who slotted it home for the game-winner.
“Probably my 30th game winner of my life, but first at this level,” Prietro said. “It was a beautiful ball in, and when I saw it bounce to me in front of the goal, my eyes lit up.”
The finish capped a two-goal comeback from the visitors, who fell behind 2-0 less than 12 minutes into the game, and went into halftime trailing 2-1.
“It seems like coming from behind is becoming a trend for us,” Indians coach Jose Montes said. “For some reason in these league matches we fall behind early, but this team stays together and finds a way to get themselves out of that hole.”
The Indians were forced to come from behind due to some great attacking play from the Knights (0-3, 5-4-2) during the first half. The opener came just five minutes in when freshman midfielder Collin Lecain earned a penalty after he was tackled to the ground as he tried to score in an empty net after evading goalkeeper Anthony Rivera. Lecain took the penalty himself and slotted it in the right corner to put the hosts up.
Lecain played a part in creating the second goal for Ripon Christian just seven minutes later, as his cross fell to the feet of senior Ben Miller who beat the goalkeeper to double the lead.
“Collin was great tonight,” Ripon Christian coach Danny Koolhaas said. “He is an extremely skilled player, and we have to keep finding was to get the ball on his feet.”
The Indians had a playmaker of their own in the form of junior Armando Ayon, who was a part of two goals. He assisted on a beautiful cross that was slotted home by Chris Armanious to make it 2-1 late in the first half. Then with 13 minutes left to go in the game found himself on the end of a Jake Haga cross to tie the game up.
After the game, Koolhaas recognized the positive things his team did, but recognized there is more to do if they want to keep leads in future match-ups.
Not often is goalkeeping a storyline in a 3-2 game, but both Rivera and Vander Woude kept their teams in the game with great saves. Vander Woude finished with six saves on the night, while his counterpart tallied eight for the Indians.
“This game and last game he has really put us over the top,” Montes said of Rivera. “He was swatting the ball away like flies tonight.”
Up next for both teams are Trans Valley League games against Escalon. The Knights play at Escalon on Friday night, while Ripon hosts the Cougars next Wednesday, Jan. 15.
