With a game on the road, Escalon’s varsity soccer boys played at Ripon Christian on Friday, Jan. 2, falling 2-1.

“All the goals came in the first half,” said head coach Paul Silva. “Co Northcutt scored in the 20th minute but RC equalized five minutes later and went ahead shortly after.”

Silva said the first half of the Trans-Valley League contest was fairly evenly played.

“The difference being that RC capitalized on their opportunities and we weren’t as clinical,” the coach noted.

Escalon picked up their level of play in the second half, said Silva, and “created a number of great chances” but couldn’t get another one into the net, falling just short in the contest.

The JV boys, meanwhile, were 9-0 winners in their game against Ripon Christian on Friday with two goals each from Brandon Beltran and Anthony Torres and single tallies from Moises Cortes, Adrian Tristan, Fidel Segura, Miguel Arce and Marcus Gonzalez.

Notching assists in the game were Marcus Gonzalez, Omar Pantoja, Emmanuel Calderon and two from Angel Rodriguez.

“The boys played a great game giving themselves a chance to explore more plays and generating goals,” said head coach Polo Rodriguez.