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Orestimba boys’ soccer upsets Ripon Christian on senior night, 2-1
ohs bs 2-18 pic 1
Orestimba High forward Noel Madrigal, right, attempts to dribble the ball past Ripon Christian defender Blake Stuit, left, during the first half of the Warriors’ 2-1 senior night win last Monday. He finished with a goal and an assist. - photo by Navtej Hundal

Entering its regular season finale, Orestimba High boys’ soccer team came off of back-to-back losses to Ripon High and Hughson High. The team was hosting Ripon Christian High, one of the top teams in the Trans-Valley League.

 

Having dealt with an injured roster and trying to keep its season alive, there was a sense of urgency in Monday’s senior night matchup. In spite of it all, the Warriors picked up its best win of the season after upsetting the Knights, 2-1, at Warrior Stadium.

 

Orestimba concluded its regular season at 8-10-4 overall and 3-7-2 in TVL play. Ripon Christian fell to 8-8-2 overall and 7-4-1 against league opponents, finishing second in the TVL standings.

 

Forwards Noel and Hector Madrigal each delivered a goal for the Warriors and recorded their fourth and third goal, respectively, of the season.

 

Orestimba head coach Jose Serrato attributed the win to players’ effort, specifically the seniors, who wanted to conclude their special night with a win. 

 

“We knew we had what it takes to beat them, but [our] team had to play well, and they did,” he said. “All the seniors stepped up and everyone played a good game.”

 

Talen Tameling scored the Knights’ lone goal in the 29th minute to put them ahead, 1-0. As Collin Lecain dribbled the ball at the left side of the field, he kicked it towards the Warriors’ penalty area where Tameling delivered a header past Orestimba keeper Julian Lopez.

 

Orestimba responded four minutes later with a goal of their own when Noel Madrigal dribbled the ball past two Ripon Christian defenders and kicked it towards Hector Madrigal who scored to tie the match.

 

Tied 1-1, midfielder Bryant Lopez kicked the ball towards the Knights’ penalty area where Noel Madrigal received the ball and dribbled to the right past a Ripon Christian defender to score the game-clinching goal in the 57th minute.

 

With the win, Orestimba’s season will continue as the team will travel to Delhi High (15-3-1) (12-0 Southern Athletic League) to compete in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs on Saturday at 6 p.m.

 

As the program begins its postseason run, Serrato said the team is focused on finishing the season on a “high note.”

 

“Everything after the end of the season is extra,” he said. “We’ve played Delhi before … so we know how they play, and we’ll try to do our best and try to get a result.”