The Oakdale High School varsity girls soccer team opened up league play this past week. In the Valley Oak League opener, the Lady Mustangs fell to Manteca 3-2 and then followed that up with a difficult 3-1 home loss to East Union.

In the loss to Manteca, sophomore Ruby Fink scored both goals for Oakdale. Dishing out assists were Lindsey Lumm and Kassandra Rodriguez. Goalkeepers Victoria Rojas and Lumm shared the task. Rojas gave up one goal and also had a save. Lumm surrendered two goals.

Wednesday night, the girls hosted East Union. Rodriguez scored the team’s lone goal, unassisted in the second half. Goalkeeper Rojas had seven saves and surrendered three goals.

“The girls fought hard, but started the game very slow,” said Oakdale head coach Grace Fernandes.

The coach, however, is looking for better things from the team in the future.

“We have a great group of girls that really love being around each other,” she noted.

Oakdale will be off for the winter break and return for a road showdown with Sierra, scheduled for Jan. 10. The game is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

In junior varsity action, Oakdale lost 1-0 to Manteca on Dec. 16. Two days later the girls hosted East Union where they defeated the visitors, 3-1. In the victory Jocelyn Rivera, Brayden Storey and Lydia Stueve each scored goals.

“While we were short playing our team stepped up and I am proud of them,” said head coach Joey Micheletti.

The girls will have a winter break layoff just like the varsity team, and will return with a road game at Sierra on Jan. 10 scheduled for 4 p.m.