Varsity, JV Soccer Squads Split Their League Contests
Escalon college team Lady Cougars picked up their first Trans-Valley League football win of the season, dominating the home field on Thursday, January 19.
Although there was no rain, it was very windy and cold temperatures, with fans on the sidelines and bench players bundled up in winter jackets and blankets.
“We beat Livingston 9-1 and it was 4-0 at halftime,” head coach Jeremy Titsworth said of the chilling victory.
Livingston scored a second-half goal but never really threatened host Lady Cougars as Escalon scored five more goals in the second half.
“They just managed to take a lot of their opportunities,” Titsworth said of what made the difference in the contest. “They played very well.”
Leading the charge was Cali Granis, who scored four goals in the first half to put the home side ahead.
The second half score came from Rayah McNulty (2), Alyssa Ball, Jasmine Barron and Rylie Lattig.
One of McNulty’s goals came on a header from a Ball corner.
“She’s been very close to that all year, there were a few times she missed and she finally got it,” Titsworth said of McNulty eager to score on the header.
Ball, in addition to serving the assist on this play, scored from a free kick.
Karisa McNeil had two saves in goal; Andrea Fuentes had three.
The girls headed into this week at 1-3 in league. They lost a road game to Ripon on January 17, losing 4–0.
They were due to play Riverbank at home on January 24 and travel to Hilmar on Thursday January 26.
JV Girls
With nearly identical scores, the JV Lady Cougars had a win and a loss last week.
They were on the road to face Ripon in a game on Tuesday January 17 and were shut out 7-0.
But they bounced back with a strong home effort on Thursday, January 19, and beat Livingston 7-1.
“It was a really good game and I got to play all 26 girls,” coach Lindsay Plascencia said. “It was an overall fun game.”
Two players had hat tricks, with Mia Arteaga and Soraya Aguayo each scoring three goals. Adriana Romero added a goal and the afternoon assists were Aileen Aguirre, Sarai Correa, Rylee Bray and Peyton Merrill.
College boys
Starting the week at home, the college football Cougars defeated Ripon, 5-1, on January 17. Jacen Peoples had a terrific game, scoring two goals and contributing three assists. Beaden Inglis scored a goal, with additional scores from Luis Zurita and Andy Alpizar. Aldo Yepiz also got an assist.
Thursday’s road game at Livingston had a tougher result, as the Varsity boys were shut out by Wolves, 4-0. This left the team at 2-2-1 in the league.
They face Riverbank and Hilmar in the TVL contests this week.
JV Boys
It was a home win on January 17 for the JV boys, shutting out Ripon 3-0. Dylan Pena scored the hat trick, netting all three of Escalon’s goals. Angel Romero got an assist.
“On Thursday we lost a close game against Livingston, 1-0,” said head coach Polo Rodriguez.
The young Cougars will face Riverbank on the road and Hilmar at home this week as well.