Gridley senior captain Gregorio Ramirez (10) goes to steal the ball in the Bulldogs 2-0 loss to Yuba City on Tuesday, December 12. Photo by Steven Bryla

Gridley at Yuba City

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The Yuba City Honkers’ two early goals held up as they beat the Gridley Bulldogs in a non-league matchup on Tuesday, December 12.

Yuba City snuck past the Gridley defense on the opening kick of the game and lit up the scoreboard with an early goal to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

The Bulldogs were able to gain their composure back and played the rest of the night lights-out on the defensive end. 

The Honkers added to their lead in the 15th minute as they scored off a penalty kick to take a 2-0 lead, and that would end the scoring on the night, but both teams had opportunities and great shots on the goals.

Gridley Head Coach Jesse Barajas told Messenger Publishing Group that Yuba City came out with a lot of quick passes and his team backed off quite a bit.

Honkers Head Coach Erik Soli expressed to MPG that the win over Gridley builds Yuba City’s confidence and his players brought it as they played hard in the victory.

“We came out strong and that early goal didn’t dictate the game: we kept bringing the pressure after that,” Soli said. “It gave us momentum, and our kids didn’t let up after the early score.”

Soli added that everyone on his roster made the right moves, and they were able to control the ball well throughout the game. 

Gridley lost their following match on December 14 to Pleasant Valley, as they surrendered two second half goals. 

Barajas told MPG they are working hard as a team, and are going to attempt to make another Northern Section/State tournament run like last season.

The Bulldogs hosted Colusa on Tuesday and traveled to Anderson on Wednesday to finish their 2023 schedule.

The Honkers opened Capital Valley Conference play on December 14, with a 5-0 loss to Woodcreek. Yuba City had two chances this week to win their first CVC game since the 2020-21 season as they hosted Antelope on Tuesday and traveled down the road for in-town rival River Valley last night.

 

Live Oak at River Valley

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The River Valley Falcons and the Live Oak Lions tied 1-1 in a non-league matchup on Tuesday, December 12.

The chilly nightcap had players on both sides making sure they were loose and constantly moving to avoid cramps.

River Valley got on the scoreboard early in the first half, as both squads were able to have equal time of possession of the ball, and the game was balanced as a whole.

Falcons Head Coach Abel Franco told MPG that his defense was spot-on throughout the game against Live Oak.

River Valley junior midfielder Benjamin Barriga expressed to MPG that they didn’t allow the Lions to space out wide for long outlet passes into the open field.

Live Oak tied the game at one off a corner kick from Esteban Alvarado to Jesus Rivera for the equalizer.

Lions Head Coach Rudy Rosales told MPG they were successful on defense, and they are still working towards finding a main striker up on the front line.

Live Oak is experiencing injuries to some key components on the roster, but Rosales is not using that as an excuse.

He added that it is the next guy up, and will be adding guys to those missed spots on the field, and a successful season for this team consists of all playing together with one another.

Live Oak lost their match against Williams 1-0 on December 14, and ended the 2023 part of their season with a road trip to Hamilton on Monday.

River Valley lost their CVC opener to Antelope 4-0, and hosted Placer on Tuesday night before they hosted Yuba City last night in the crosstown matchup to close out 2023.