Despite what head coach Guy Bettencourt described as a game played with lower energy and as some players described as a somewhat “sloppy” performance, Hilmar High’s girls varsity soccer team still managed to pull out a one-sided 7-0 win over Hughson on Tuesday afternoon to remain undefeated in the Trans-Valley League.
The Yellowjackets received two early goals from sophomore Raylynn Mendoza and a second-half hat trick courtesy of Brisa Gonzales. They also received scores from junior Alyssa Colston and freshman Milly Lorios.
The effort pushed their record to 10-3-3 overall and 4-01 in conference play. The Huskies, meanwhile, dropped to 6-11-1 overall and 0-5 in TVL action.
Mendoza, who Bettencourt calls the team’s “Energizer Bunny,” scored both her goals within the first 20 minutes of play, using her speed to get out ahead of defenders for a pair of one-on-one opportunities with opposing goalkeeper Emily Villalobos. Mendoza’s small stature may be deceiving, as there’s some force in her kicks that helped land her two shots on goal past Villalobos and into the back of the net. She leads the team with 15 goals.
The Huskies remained competitive for the next 20 minutes, but surrendered the score to Lorios right before the intermission.
The second half was all Gonzales, who led the ‘Jackets in goals with 31 a season ago. She knocked in ricochet shots in front of the net for two goals, and the third was off a free kick, a bending bullet off her left foot from roughly 40 yards out.
“I wasn’t even trying to get (the hat trick), it just happened,” Gonzales said. “The opportunities were there. I was honestly surprised on the free kick because it was with the left, and the right is my dominant. The way the wall was setup, they were to the right side, so I saw an opening in the side shot.”
Senior goalkeeper Kayden Elston saved four shots, including a pair of close attempts in the second half.
“It feels good to score, to win,” Mendoza said. “But we need to play better as a team and pick it up. Pickup our passes and touches and overall speed of the game.”
Mendoza exited briefly after taking a hard foul midway through the second half, which may have derailed her own attempt at a hat trick.
Throughout the season, opposing teams have been extra physical with the smaller striker, but Bettencourt believes that, although it may frustrate him, Mendoza and other players — especially with what many of them believe are a lack of calls from referees — it will make them stronger down the stretch.
“It’s going to be like that, especially as we play tougher competition like Ripon,” Bettencourt said, referring to Thursday’s date with the Indians, who shared the TVL title with the Yellowjackets last year. “We have to play with a certain physicality in order to beat teams like that.”
The Indians are 8-3-2 overall and sport a 4-0 record atop the TVL standings. Thursday’s meeting takes place at 6 p.m. from Ripon High School.
“I think we’ll be ready for Ripon,” Gonzales said confidently.
The Huskies will wait a week until they hit the pitch again in search of their first TVL victory, coincidentally against the Indians on Jan. 22, also in Ripon.
Huskies best ‘Jackets in boys action
Back in Hilmar, the Yellowjackets’ boys team suffered their second straight loss on Tuesday afternoon, falling 2-1 to Hughson. It came six days after the ‘Jackets fell 2-1 loss to Orestimba five days after the Warriors bested the Huskies 5-3.
Hughson improved to 5-10-2 on the year, including a 3-2-1 record in TVL play. Hughson dropped to 3-2. The result did not lead to any changes in the league standings coming into Wednesday, as the third-place Yellowjackets and fourth-place Huskies remain looking up at 3-1 Orestimba and 3-0-1 Ripon.
Hilmar will look to snap their skid Thursday when they host Ripon, while Hughson hopes to keep the good times when they host Ripon Christian on Friday. Kickoff for both games are scheduled for 3:30 p.m.