Ripon Christian’s girls soccer team kicked off Southern Athletic League play on Monday, scoring five unanswered goals in the second half to knock off visiting Mariposa, 7-3.
The reigning champion Knights, now 4-2 overall, trailed 3-2 at halftime after giving up three straight goals, including an own goal.
Eva Benedict and Dayna Koolhaas both scored a goal in each half. Benedict started the onslaught of scoring by finishing a quick counter attack off a steal on Mariposa’s defensive third. Koolhaas followed with a headed put-away.
In the second half, Alanna Blanco, Shelby Terra and Maya DeJong added one goal apiece.
The Knights head to Gustine on Wednesday.
Lathrop 2, Los Banos 2
This Western Athletic Conference showdown also determined the third-place finisher in the Buffalo Cup. They were matched up for the final round of action in Saturday’s tournament at Manteca High.
The 2-2 draw stands for WAC play. Los Banos (1-1-1, 2-3-1 overall) had an early lead, but an own goal allowed the host Spartans (2-0-2, 3-4-2) to salvage the tie. Janessa Ward accounted for a goal.
After the game, the teams dueled in a penalty-kick shootout to finish the tournament. Lathrop won 4-3, freshman Janeese Romo was named to the all-tournament team.
BOYS SOCCER
Ripon Christian 3, Mariposa 0
The Knights (1-0, 1-5) picked up their first win of the season with the SAL opener.
Cade Van Groningen and Drew Meester scored one goal each. Isaiah Vander Woude capped scoring with a header off Daniel Lambdin’s corner kick.
East Union 3, Mountain House 1
Angel Guzman scored a goal and assisted Giovanni Perez and Earardo Pelayo to help the upstart Lancers (11-1) stake a 3-0 halftime lead.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Ripon 49, Enochs 46
The Indians (4-2) held on for a hard-earned non-league win at home.
Vanessah Ponce caught fire in the second half, hitting three 3-pointers to finish with 14 points. Makenzie Loechler contributed eight points, while Emily Sesser had seven points and eight rebounds.
Lindsey Strong poured in 18 points for Enochs (4-2), netting 14 of them in the second quarter. Ripon held her to just two points in the second half, both free throws.
JV girls soccer
Lathrop 5, Los Banos 0
Elyanna Fernanez and Arianna Gracia each recorded a brace for the Spartans (3-1 WAC). Dahlia Ricaldi added a goal.
