It was a win and a loss for the varsity soccer boys this past week, a tie and a loss for the JV boys. The varsity girls took a loss and earned a tie and the JV girls fell in their home contest.
The games came as the Cougar teams face off with Trans-Valley League opponents.
SOCCER BOYS
Starting their week on the road at Ripon, the varsity Cougar boys notched a 2-1 win.
“We were up 1-0 at halftime with the goal being scored by Co Northcutt and assisted by Jesse Gomez,” head coach Paul Silva said of taking the lead in the Jan. 15 contest. “Our second goal was scored by Angel Romero on a free kick to put us up 2-0.”
But Ripon battled, scoring a goal with about 10 minutes left in the game. Escalon had to turn up the defensive pressure to put the game in the win column.
“Preston Berhorst was outstanding in goal but got injured midway through the second half and was replaced by Angel Perez to preserve the victory,” said Silva.
Escalon then hosted Orestimba on Friday, Jan. 17 but took a 2-1 loss to the Warriors.
Again, it was Northcutt giving his team the early lead as the Cougars went up 1-0.
“We conceded one almost immediately after his goal,” the coach added. “The game stayed tied until the last two minutes in the contest, when Orestimba scored their second goal.”
After a strong effort on Wednesday, Silva said it was tough to see the team fall short in Friday’s contest.
“We were lacking the cutting edge in front of the goal and conceded too much possession to Orestimba,” he explained. “We needed to play with more intensity and purpose, that we showed on Wednesday. Disappointed that we didn’t replicate that effort on Friday.”
For the JV boys, they battled to a draw with Ripon and lost to Orestimba.
On the road, it was a 2-2 tie with the Indians.
“We took an early goal off a crucial mistake in our back line but the second half we turned it around with Fidel Segura getting two goals back-to-back,” said coach Polo Rodriguez.
As the game went on, Ripon also found the net, scoring with about 10 minutes left with the teams ending in the draw.
Friday hosting Orestimba, the JV boys fell by a 3-1 final, their first loss in league.
“Our only goal came from Fidel Segura assisted by Miguel Arce,” Rodriguez said. “It was a tough loss but our mistakes gave them the goals which made it a frustrating game.”
The coach said Segura “has been a very noticeable striker for us” and has scored at least one goal in each of the team’s last four games.
The soccer boys travel to Sonora on Wednesday, Jan. 22 and then the JV and varsity host Hilmar on Friday, Jan. 24.
SOCCER GIRLS
Facing off with the top team in the TVL, Escalon’s Lady Cougars hosted but fell to Ripon by a 5-0 final on Jan. 15.
They were down 4-0 at the half.
“We played hard to hold them to only one goal in the second half,” said assistant coach Jim Ball. “Good showing considering we have three starters that are injured and did not play.”
The team entered the game without Emma Strong, Mia Arteaga and Georgia Northcutt.
“Excellent job by Yareli Cervantes playing both midfield and forward,” added Ball. “Payton Abbott played hard at midfield as well and another good showing by our defense in the second half.”
The Escalon JV girls did not get shut out against Ripon on Jan. 15 but they did take a 10-1 loss to the visitors.
Friday against Orestimba, the varsity girls battled to a 1-1 tie.
“Orestimba scored first, early in the first half,” Ball said. “We responded with a goal by Peyton Merril on a beautiful corner kick by Reagan Baker.”
It also came down to the defense for the Lady Cougars on Friday, making the difference in securing the tie.
“Karisa McNeil had another great game with 17 saves including three that were point blank,” explained Ball. “She continues to prove she is one of, if not the best keeper in the TVL. Without her play, we lose the game by multiple goals.”
Also earning praise was Cervantes, with a great game at midfield.
“The Orestimba defense did a good job limiting our shots, Jasmine Barron led the team with three shots on goal,” Ball added.
This week, the teams are scheduled to host Sonora on Wednesday, Jan. 22 and will be on the road Friday, Jan. 24 at Hilmar.
