“A win is a win, so we’ll take it,” said MCHS soccer coach Adam Finney, following the team’s most recent game.

The Grizzlies traveled to Bret Harte last Friday for a preseason contest. When they arrived, the Bret Harte coach announced that he was “resting” his full varsity team for an upcoming tournament in Manteca. Mariposa came away with a 4-2 win, its first of the short season.

“He didn’t rest them all,” Finney said. “When we started dominating, they brought in better players.”

Mariposa was paced in scoring by lead striker Jonathan Gonzalez with a pair of goals. Ryland Radanovich added a score, and Jared Law snapped the net on an assist from Jesus Oritz, the center midfielder.

“We must have bounced off the goal post 10 to 15 times,” Finney added. “Scoring wasn’t really the problem.” The Grizzlies scored all four goals in the last 25 minutes.

Both teams played developing players, building skills for upcoming league play. Mariposa is the defending section championship team.

The Grizzlies will travel to Sonora on Friday and Saturday to compete in a tournament.

“We’re going to open with Sonora, and we’re going all out,” Finney said. “That’s a big school, but this team isn’t intimidated. If we’re working our game, we believe we can play with anyone.”

The real test may come next Monday when Mariposa hosts Delhi in its first Southern Athletic League contest.

The game will begin at 3:45 p.m. on the lower field, and will be a rematch of the section semi-final clash last year, when Mariposa topped the Hawks on their own field, and sparks are bound to fly.