Weston Ranch beat Riverbank High School, 3-1, yesterday at Riverbank. The Cougars got single goals from Sergio Garcia, Tristan Solis, and Zinedine Valdez en route to their third win of the season.

However, the final score suggested the win could have been more convincing. In contrast, the Cougars fired 15 total shots at the Bruins’ goal for the game, none connected in the first half. As a result, the first half was challenging, and both teams went into the halftime break, tied 0-0.

“Varsity had a tough first half, and the game was pretty even,” said head coach Francisco Cisneros.

Valdez got the Cougars on the board early in the second half with the first goal on a penalty kick. Riverbank tied it 1-1 as action resumed. Solis fielded a brilliant pass from Sergio Garcia, sent the ball from outside the Bruins’ goalie box, and found the back of the net for the second Weston Ranch goal.

“Sergio made his pass between two defenders, and I got off a good shot,” Solis said.

Garcia scored the third Cougars goal on a penalty kick to close out the scoring for Weston Ranch.

Freshman goalie Julio Torres did his part on defense by turning away four Riverbank shots, collecting the shutout.

“Our guys are playing great team defense,” Cisneros said. “We have been getting better and better with each game. Hopefully, we will continue this going into our next match.”

Weston Ranch’s JV also won its match over the Bruins, 3-1.

The Cougars are now 3-2-1 and face Lincoln High School of Stockton on December 9.