A lull of absence from the soccer field following a barrage of rain left Oakdale’s High’s varsity soccer team a little rusty in a showdown at Lathrop last week, but the Lady Mustangs found their footing in a 4-0 shutout on the road in the March 23 contest.
“We didn’t get to play that Monday because our field was soaked, and basically went all week practicing in the old basketball gym,” Oakdale coach Alfredo Quiroga said. “I think we lost a little bit of our rhythm we had acquired in preseason by playing a couple of games a week.
“That slowed us against Lathrop, as we did not play very well, despite beating them 4-0.”
Quiroga’s dissatisfaction with a 4-0 win is a good indication of Oakdale’s high expectations this season after an undefeated start (8-0-3) and clutch win over 2010 champions, Sierra, to open Valley Oak League action.
Oakdale tackled upstart East Union at home on Monday, but results were not available at press time.
The Lathrop win swung Oakdale’s way after two goals in each half and a combined shutout from Morgan Kinyon (three saves) and Jordin Altmann (four saves) in the net.
Jessica Gomez scored two goals while Kristen Brunk and Alissa Kummer each chipped in a mark. Katie Odom, Jenna Micheletti, Markie Arnold and Hailey Turney landed assists in the win.
Oakdale was atop the league standings but deadlocked with Kimball as of Monday after the 2-0 start. Sierra was 1-1-1 after a win over Manteca and tie to East Union (2-0-1). The league race figures to be fairly tight this season, as Oakdale, Sierra, East Union and Kimball vie to break away from the pack.
“All the schools are much better now, it’s not just Sierra on top any more,” Quiroga said. “Kimball is doing well, but with no seniors in their second year of being a school, we will see how they do.”
Junior Varsity
Oakdale took an 8-0 lead on Lathrop at the half and moved a majority of players around to give defenders a look up top in a 9-0 finish over the host Spartans on March 23.
The JV Mustangs (3-0 VOL) saw two goals each from Becka Keating, Christina Bradshaw, and Danae Rose. Izzy Arellano, Tori Coffey and Brittany Carpenter also scored in the win.
Goalie Hannah Hanko had to resist the urge to pick up a loose ball while playing midfield in the second half, but enjoyed some time away from the net. She combined with Carpenter (second half netminder) for a shutout in the goal.
The JV squad made it three straight shutouts in league play by topping East Union in a home game Monday, winning 6-0. Arellano had the hat trick, with single tallies from Montana Nunes, Katelyn Jackson and Alyssa Perigen. Rose notched three assists, with other helpers from Perigen, Carpenter and Bradshaw. Oakdale had a 5-0 lead at the half, adding one more goal in the second half, while Hanko stopped a handful of EU shots on goal.
Oakdale hosts Weston Ranch today to continue conference contests.
