mjackson@escalontimes.com
Trying to take down the Trans-Valley League's top team is proving to be no easy task, as the Escalon varsity Lady Cougars learned in a 5-2 loss to the visiting Ripon Indians on Monday, April 13.
It was the only game of the week for the girls, with most schools out for spring break, and it started out well, with the host team taking a 1-0 lead.
"We were ahead for a while," said coach Jamie Peoples. "They (Ripon) haven't been in that situation very much."
The Indians were able to get two goals in the first half to take a 2-1 lead at the break.
"I'm really happy with the way we played," Peoples said. "It was a real confidence boost."
Taking the lead on Ripon showed the girls they can battle with the toughest of the league's teams and Peoples said there were several players that turned in outstanding performances.
"Melanie Winkler again did a great job up top, Jen Schmidt came in off the bench and earned herself a starting position," the coach noted. "Annie Gallego played so well and Katie San Julian made some awesome saves."
Escalon also pummeled the goal with shots but was only able to get two of them through. Amanda Franklin had a goal with an assist from Esmeralda Gomez, back from an injury, and Taylor Morrow notched a goal on a penalty kick.
"It was a really physical game, again," Peoples said.
"By taking the early lead, we showed that they're beatable," she added of Ripon. "But again, it was the story of this season, can we finish a ball."
The girls were scheduled to play Ripon Christian on Monday, April 20 after The Times went to press to start the third and final round of TVL competition. They will host Riverbank in a Wednesday afternoon game, April 22, starting at 4:30 p.m. in their final home game of the season. They travel for the final three, going to Hughson on Monday, April 27, followed by games at Modesto Christian and Ripon.
The JV girls also got in a game this past week, playing against Ripon on April 13, and lost a 3-0 decision. They don't have any league games this week but are busy preparing for the Mariposa Tournament, with games on Saturday, April 25 starting at 9 a.m.
Trying to take down the Trans-Valley League's top team is proving to be no easy task, as the Escalon varsity Lady Cougars learned in a 5-2 loss to the visiting Ripon Indians on Monday, April 13.
It was the only game of the week for the girls, with most schools out for spring break, and it started out well, with the host team taking a 1-0 lead.
"We were ahead for a while," said coach Jamie Peoples. "They (Ripon) haven't been in that situation very much."
The Indians were able to get two goals in the first half to take a 2-1 lead at the break.
"I'm really happy with the way we played," Peoples said. "It was a real confidence boost."
Taking the lead on Ripon showed the girls they can battle with the toughest of the league's teams and Peoples said there were several players that turned in outstanding performances.
"Melanie Winkler again did a great job up top, Jen Schmidt came in off the bench and earned herself a starting position," the coach noted. "Annie Gallego played so well and Katie San Julian made some awesome saves."
Escalon also pummeled the goal with shots but was only able to get two of them through. Amanda Franklin had a goal with an assist from Esmeralda Gomez, back from an injury, and Taylor Morrow notched a goal on a penalty kick.
"It was a really physical game, again," Peoples said.
"By taking the early lead, we showed that they're beatable," she added of Ripon. "But again, it was the story of this season, can we finish a ball."
The girls were scheduled to play Ripon Christian on Monday, April 20 after The Times went to press to start the third and final round of TVL competition. They will host Riverbank in a Wednesday afternoon game, April 22, starting at 4:30 p.m. in their final home game of the season. They travel for the final three, going to Hughson on Monday, April 27, followed by games at Modesto Christian and Ripon.
The JV girls also got in a game this past week, playing against Ripon on April 13, and lost a 3-0 decision. They don't have any league games this week but are busy preparing for the Mariposa Tournament, with games on Saturday, April 25 starting at 9 a.m.
