Ripon Christian is rolling going into the Sac-Joaquin Section boys soccer playoffs.
The Knights are postseason bound for the first time in 10 years following their 6-1 rout of Sonora on the road Monday.
They did not lose any of their final nine games in the Trans-Valley League and have won their last four. The late-season hot streak vaulted Ripon Christian (5-3-4, 10-4-6 overall) into a second-place logjam with Orestimba, Ripon and Hilmar. Even if the Knights are denied a top-three automatic berth, they’ve qualified with at-large bid for their second-place position in the SJS Division VI MaxPreps rankings.
Collin LeCain and Drew Meester each had two goals and an assist. Colton Veldstra and Ricky Van Unen scored one apiece.
SJS playoff brackets are expected to be revealed today. Play-in games are scheduled for Wednesday, with first-round games for Divisions IV-VI on Friday.
GIRLS SOCCER
Ripon Christian 2, Sonora 0
The Knights’ first season back in the TVL ended with the home loss Monday, but they’ll go into the postseason as a favorite to defend their SJS Division VI championship
Runner-up Sonora (9-2-1, 11-3-1) scored twice in the second half to win the regular-season finale. Morgan Schenk did all she could to keep Ripon Christian (6-6, 12-8-1) in the game, making several stops on the same play, which included a clearance off the line from a defender, until Sonora benefited from an own goal. The Wildcats doubled the lead late in the game. They edged RC 21-18 on shot attempts.