By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
RC Tournament Title For Varsity Soccer Boys
var boy soccer
Posing with their plaque after claiming the championship at the Ripon Christian Tournament, members of the Escalon varsity boys soccer team went 3-0 in the tourney, under the direction of head coach Paul Silva. Photo Courtesy Of Polo Rodriguez

Playing in the Ripon Christian Tournament over the weekend, the Escalon varsity soccer boys brought home the title.

They started the week with a win and a loss before heading to nearby Ripon for the tournament action.

Head coach Paul Silva said the team lost to Modesto, 5-0, on Dec. 5 and then came back to beat Argonaut by an 11-0 margin on Dec. 6. Leading the team in that shutout win was Andy Alpizar with four goals, Raul Calderon had two goals, Luis Flores had a goal and two assists, Jacen Peoples had a goal and an assist. Aldo Yepiz, Carlos Diaz and Marcos Grajeda each had a goal.

In tournament play on Friday, the team started off strong.

“We beat Ripon Christian 9-0 in the first game, Alpizar had four goals and an assist, Flores had three goals and four assists,” noted Silva. “Jesse Gomez and Raul Calderon each had a goal.”

In the second game against Bradshaw Christian, the Cougars took a 3-1 win. Flores had a goal and two assists, Alpizar had a goal and an assist and Chris Valle added a goal.

“The championship game was against Orestimba, we won 5-3,” Silva said.

Flores had four goals and an assist, Gomez scored the other goal and Alpizar had two assists.

“Andy (Alpizar) was an All-Tournament Selection, Luis (Flores) was Tournament MVP,” Silva said.

Earlier preseason action saw the Cougars get a 5-2 win against Sonora, along with a 6-2 win over Amador. The wins came after a loss to Calaveras, 2-1, to open the preseason campaign.

 

JUNIOR VARSITY

It has been a busy preseason for the JV boys, with Polo Rodriguez returning as the head coach. They won their opener against Calaveras, 4-3, while still working on team chemistry.

“Dylan Pena had two goals, one with a great header off a corner kick from Dominic Murillo,” Rodriguez said.

A road game against Sonora went down as a forfeit win for the JV Cougars, as Sonora did not have enough players to field a team. Then the boys played Amador, hosting them and taking a 7-1 win.

Five different players scored goals for the JV squad including Isaac Patino, Steven Rodriguez, two each; and Co Northcutt, Dylan Pena and Angel Romero, one goal apiece.

They lost a home game to Modesto, 5-4, despite a hat trick from Yair Valerio. Then they traveled to play in the Ripon Christian Tournament.

“We lost our first game to Gregori, 3-0, on Friday morning and won against Riverbank 1-0 Friday midday,” said Rodriguez. “It was a real even game, both teams played well attacking and defending. Our only goal came from Yair Valerio.”

On Saturday, the JV Cougars faced off with Grace Davis and lost by a 2-1 final.

“We were tied until halftime and in the second half, going against rain and wind they got a ball through our defense and got the winning goal,” Rodriguez explained.

Co Northcutt tallied for Escalon in the loss.