A tie and a loss for the varsity Cougar boys and a hard-fought tie on the pitch for the varsity girls were featured during Trans-Valley League soccer this past week. Following are recaps from those varsity games as well as JV contests.

SOCCER BOYS

Head coach Paul Silva said his young varsity team played at Ripon on Tuesday, Jan. 16 and came away with a draw, 0-0.

“Pretty even game, both teams had a few good chances to score but, in the end, neither team could find the back of the net,” Silva said. “We were very committed defensively, we made it really hard for Ripon to create opportunities to score.”

Thursday, at home, the Cougars hosted an offensive-minded Livingston Wolves team and held the visitors to just wo goals. Unfortunately, Escalon could not convert any chances and took a 2-0 loss.

“We gave up the first goal late in the first half, second goal was early in the second half,” Silva explained. “Overall I thought we played well defensively. Livingston had the majority of possession and chances to score, but the boys were positionally sound and committed to really making it hard for Livingston to score.”

And while they were shut out in both contests, Silva said he is seeing some positive things happening.

“I am pleased with how hard the boys worked in both games,” the coach said. “The effort and attitude have really improved as the season has progressed, hopefully the results will reflect that in the second half of league.”

In the home game on Thursday, starting goalie Jorge Salazar had six saves in 60 minutes; coming on for the final 20 minutes was Angel Perez and he notched three saves in goal.

The Cougars were to play against Riverbank on Tuesday, Jan. 23 and go on the road to Hilmar on Thursday, Jan. 25.

For the JV boys, they lost to Ripon in a 2-1 contest on Jan. 16.

“Our only goal came from Co Northcutt,” said head coach Polo Rodriguez.

Thursday, it was Ricardo Chavez finding the back of the net for the JV boys but the outcome was the same, a 2-1 loss for the Cougars. They were on the home field Thursday hosting Livingston.

“Not the way we anticipated the week but the Tuesday rain made it seem hard for us to perform and Thursday was a well fought game,” noted Rodriguez. “The boys played an exceptional game even though taking a loss.”

SOCCER GIRLS

After taking a shutout loss, 5-0, to Ripon on Tuesday, the varsity girls battled back in their next league contest and got a 4-4 tie against Livingston on Thursday night, Jan. 18.

“We controlled most of the game and Jasmine Barron just missed the go ahead shot with less than two minutes left in the game,” said head coach Jeremy Titsworth. “Rayah McNulty had an awesome game, getting all four of our goals for the night. Karisa McNeil also had a great game at goalie with eight saves.”

Alyssa Ball was the set-up player, assisting on three of McNulty’s four goals.

The JV girls, meanwhile, lost by a 3-0 final to Ripon, with all of the opponent’s goals coming in the first half.

“When we play them again I think it’s going to be a good game,” coach Lindsay Plascencia said. “I think we can battle with them and our team has the potential to beat them.”

Gwyneth Goodman played an outstanding game in the back as sweeper, heading off a lot of scoring possibilities or Ripon.

“Isabella Podwinsky-Grant as well, she had a great game, she definitely has made her presence known on the field,” added Plascencia.

She also pointed to the efforts of freshman goalie Elizabeth Castro, who has improved throughout the season and had a lot of saves in the Tuesday game.

The Lady Cougar squads are scheduled to play next at home on Thursday, Jan. 25.