Winning their final regular game of the season, the Lady Cougars of Escalon put together an outstanding 9-2-3 mark in Trans-Valley League play.
They entered the playoffs as the number two seed in the TVL, finishing second in league to Hilmar, and compiled a 13-5-4 record overall.
"We won, it was 7-0," said coach Craig Humrichouse of the shutout victory over Livingston on Tuesday, May 10. "It was a match we needed to win to firm up our spot in the playoffs."
The visiting Wolves were no match for the host Lady Cougars, who celebrated the finale by recognizing the four senior players in their final regular season game appearance at home. Aprille Ray, Sable McCleery, Lindsay Richards and Sophia Vasquez were presented with flowers and balloons, saluted for their years of play at Escalon High.
"We even brought out some chairs with cushions for them," said Humrichouse, noting that they were treated to a comfortable seat when not on the field of play, rather than sitting on the bench.
It was a day of shooting and scoring for the varsity girls on the field, as they took a 3-0 lead at the half and continued to pummel the goal in the second half.
Kacey Ball got the scoring started early on, with Emily Alves notching an assist on the first goal.
"Then Kristine Lima got on a roll, she picked up the next three in a row," said Humrichouse. "She's getting back to playing the way she was early in the season, she really has stepped it up the last few games."
Paige Fulgieri added the assist on Lima's first goal and Ball got the second as the varsity girls built up the 3-0 lead.
In the second half, Lima put in the first goal unassisted, while Ball got the next goal with the assist from Fulgieri.
"Then we got the next two goals from Kaity Bojorquez, unassisted," Humrichouse explained. "We've been working on getting her to shoot more, we're actually trying to get everyone to shoot more and they were firing away."
Escalon took 35 shots on goal for the contest, Livingston managed just one shot, which was turned away by goalie Sarah Quiroz.
"Our starters played less than half the game," added Humrichouse. "We got everyone in, so that was good."
Kudos went to the defense, which was as effective in stopping the Wolves as the offense was in putting the ball in the net.
"We just played outstanding again," Humrichouse agreed. "Our defense, especially, Aprille Ray and Ashley Brown, Megan Brown and Jacki Garside, did a great job."
The girls were slated to host a playoff game on Tuesday, May 17 in the first round after The Times went to press.
In JV action, the young Lady Cougars came away with a lopsided 12-0 win against Livingston in their finale.
Leading the way was Kristie Homen, who fired in four goals for the JV girls.
"Her shot has been right on the past couple of weeks," said coach Jamie Humrichouse. "All four of her goals came from outside the penalty box."
Emily Miguel added two goals and an assist, Andie Irons had two goals and two assists, while Valerie Durham contributed a goal. Also scoring a goal each were Ashleigh Weeda and Rosita Morales. Yuri Serrano notched one goal and one assist, Megan Moore had three assists on the afternoon and Faryn Bolls had an assist as the girls spread out the scoring.
The JV girls put together a solid season, going 9-2-1 in league play, losing only to Hilmar. They were 11-5-1 overall.
Three players, Kayla Ryan, Andie Irons and Jennell Jimenez, were brought up from the JV team to be with the varsity squad for the playoff run.
By MARG JACKSON
They entered the playoffs as the number two seed in the TVL, finishing second in league to Hilmar, and compiled a 13-5-4 record overall.
"We won, it was 7-0," said coach Craig Humrichouse of the shutout victory over Livingston on Tuesday, May 10. "It was a match we needed to win to firm up our spot in the playoffs."
The visiting Wolves were no match for the host Lady Cougars, who celebrated the finale by recognizing the four senior players in their final regular season game appearance at home. Aprille Ray, Sable McCleery, Lindsay Richards and Sophia Vasquez were presented with flowers and balloons, saluted for their years of play at Escalon High.
"We even brought out some chairs with cushions for them," said Humrichouse, noting that they were treated to a comfortable seat when not on the field of play, rather than sitting on the bench.
It was a day of shooting and scoring for the varsity girls on the field, as they took a 3-0 lead at the half and continued to pummel the goal in the second half.
Kacey Ball got the scoring started early on, with Emily Alves notching an assist on the first goal.
"Then Kristine Lima got on a roll, she picked up the next three in a row," said Humrichouse. "She's getting back to playing the way she was early in the season, she really has stepped it up the last few games."
Paige Fulgieri added the assist on Lima's first goal and Ball got the second as the varsity girls built up the 3-0 lead.
In the second half, Lima put in the first goal unassisted, while Ball got the next goal with the assist from Fulgieri.
"Then we got the next two goals from Kaity Bojorquez, unassisted," Humrichouse explained. "We've been working on getting her to shoot more, we're actually trying to get everyone to shoot more and they were firing away."
Escalon took 35 shots on goal for the contest, Livingston managed just one shot, which was turned away by goalie Sarah Quiroz.
"Our starters played less than half the game," added Humrichouse. "We got everyone in, so that was good."
Kudos went to the defense, which was as effective in stopping the Wolves as the offense was in putting the ball in the net.
"We just played outstanding again," Humrichouse agreed. "Our defense, especially, Aprille Ray and Ashley Brown, Megan Brown and Jacki Garside, did a great job."
The girls were slated to host a playoff game on Tuesday, May 17 in the first round after The Times went to press.
In JV action, the young Lady Cougars came away with a lopsided 12-0 win against Livingston in their finale.
Leading the way was Kristie Homen, who fired in four goals for the JV girls.
"Her shot has been right on the past couple of weeks," said coach Jamie Humrichouse. "All four of her goals came from outside the penalty box."
Emily Miguel added two goals and an assist, Andie Irons had two goals and two assists, while Valerie Durham contributed a goal. Also scoring a goal each were Ashleigh Weeda and Rosita Morales. Yuri Serrano notched one goal and one assist, Megan Moore had three assists on the afternoon and Faryn Bolls had an assist as the girls spread out the scoring.
The JV girls put together a solid season, going 9-2-1 in league play, losing only to Hilmar. They were 11-5-1 overall.
Three players, Kayla Ryan, Andie Irons and Jennell Jimenez, were brought up from the JV team to be with the varsity squad for the playoff run.
By MARG JACKSON
