With some non-league contests still mixed in, the Escalon boys and girls soccer squads have also faced off against some Trans-Valley League foes. Following is a look at the recent action for the varsity and JV teams.
VARSITY BOYS
On Monday, Dec. 30, the boys hosted Rio Linda in non-league play and battled the visitors to a scoreless draw.
“Preston Berhorst was in goal and had five saves,” said head coach Paul Silva. “We played well overall but just couldn’t capitalize on our opportunities to score.”
Friday, though school was not yet back in session, the boys traveled to Hughson for a league game. Escalon lost the Jan. 3 game by a 5-3 final.
“It was 3-2 for Hughson at halftime,” Silva said.
Escalon’s first half goals were scored by Angel Romero and Jesse Gomez. Dylan Pena scored the third goal for Escalon late in the second half.
“Very disappointed with our performance, we were poor in our defensive third of the field,” the coach explained. “We allowed too much space for the opposition to tee up and shoot. We need to work harder on and off the ball and with only one game this upcoming week, hopefully we can address these issues.”
The varsity Cougars will have practice time before they host Ripon Christian in a home game on Friday, Jan. 10.
JV BOYS
Trans-Valley League play for the JV boys so far has seen them winning 8-0 against visiting Sonora and then battling for a 1-0 road win at Hilmar.
They also hosted Rio Linda in a Dec. 30 non-league contest and won that by a 3-1 final.
“On January 3, returning to our league games, we traveled to Hughson and with an amazing corner kick by Jovany Roa, he got a goal to put us up 1-0,” said head coach Polo Rodriguez.
As the game progressed, Escalon’s JV got a goal from Anthony Torres on a header off a rebound; Fidel Segura scored one with an assist from Angel Rodriguez; and Roa got a second goal off a free kick.
“Hughson got one in the second half but we won 4-1,” said Rodriguez. “The boys have been working hard and it has been showing through the season; very proud of their performance.”
They have started TVL play out strong with a 3-0 record and are 6-2-1 for the season overall.
VARSITY GIRLS
At home to host Hughson on Friday, Jan. 3, the varsity Lady Cougars gave up an early goal but took the win by a 3-1 final.
“Hughson scored first with a goal in the first 10 minutes,” said assistant coach Jim Ball. “We shut them down after that. We got three goals in the first half, two by Jasmine Barron and one from Darla Garcia-Sandoval.”
Emma Strong, Adriana Romero and Regan Baker had the assists.
Both teams were scoreless in the second half, keeping the final score the 3-1 decision in favor of Escalon.
“Our defense played great, led by Emma Rangel and Gweneth Goodman,” Ball said. “Karisa McNeil also had a strong game in goal with 12 saves.”
The girls resume league play at Ripon Christian on Friday this week.
JV GIRLS
After battling to a non-league tie on the road at Rio Linda in non-league play, the JV girls faced off against Hughson in TVL action on Jan. 3.
“We were down 2-0 but came back with two goals,” said head coach Lindsay Plascencia.
They knotted the game at 2-2, only to see Hughson score a last-minute goal to take the 3-2 win.
“We do play them (again) in a couple of weeks and it’s going to be a good game,” the coach predicted. “They’re very competitive.”
This week, the girls will be on the road to play at Ripon Christian on Jan. 10.
