Buhach Colony soccer finds scoring touch in rivalry win

It’s been a rough season for the Buhach Colony High School girls soccer team.

Goals have been tough to come by for the Thunder, with only 11 in 14 contests and two in Central California Conference play.

All that changed for at least one game as Buhach Colony erupted for five goals in a 5-1 victory over crosstown rival Atwater on Saturday morning. Elise Phonesavanh led the onslaught with two goals. McKenzie Kirn, Megan Meidlinger and Andrea Zarate each scored a goal.

Yesenia Valtierra made four saves to help the Thunder (3-11-1, 1-8 CCC) earn its first conference victory.

Merced 1, Golden Valley 0 in Merced – Anisa Saechao scored a second-half goal that Emma Lopez made stand with seven saves as the Bears (7-9-2, 7-0-2) remained undefeated in CCC play with a big win over the Cougars (9-2-6, 3-2-4).

The shutout was Merced’s third in a row as Lopez and the defense have yielded just one goal in the second round of league play.

Pitman 2, Turlock 1 – CCC scoring leader Rayana Plancarte kept up her torrid pace, assisting on two goals to help keep the Pride (10-5-5, 5-0-4) within striking distance of Merced.

The loss keeps the Bulldogs (5-6-2, 4-3-2) at 14 points, one ahead of Golden Valley for the league’s third and final playoff spot.

This story was originally published April 17, 2016 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Buhach Colony soccer finds scoring touch in rivalry win."