Whether it was soccer goalie Morgan Kinyon or softball ace Brianna Parker, Oakdale High athletes were locking down the defense in recent prep action on the diamond and field.

Soccer

Morgan Kinyon’s clutch stoppages of timely Sierra High rushes to the net gave Oakdale the cushion they needed in a 3-2 win over the defending Valley Oak League champions.

Oakdale (1-0 VOL, 7-0 overall) was scheduled to play visiting Kimball on Monday, but the game was postponed because of soggy field conditions.

The win over Sierra (5-2) gives Oakdale a clear edge for the VOL title race. It came after three big goals from Kerri Feuerstein, two assists from Jenna Micheletti and a lone assist by Jill Kahler.

“It’s a big confidence builder and gave us a good sign of where we are at and what we can achieve,” Oakdale coach Alfredo Quiroga said. “The girls are very happy about it and very motivated, believing we can really do this.”

Quiroga said a soggy field with sitting, saturated water could create problems this week as the team waits out the bad weather.

The Oakdale junior varsity team toppled Sierra, 5-0, after a spectacular four-goal performance from Danae Rose — including one on a penalty kick that she drilled home after a takedown by a frustrated Sierra defender in the box — and a long range score by Brittany Carpenter. Hannah Hanko locked down the net for a shutout.

Oakdale is at Lathrop today.

Softball

Glimpses of clear skies on Monday gave hopes for Tuesday’s highly anticipated showdown between returning VOL champs, Oakdale, and undefeated challenger, Sierra, but results were not available at press time.

Oakdale closed preseason action with a clutch 3-2 win over host Tracy, nabbing a key third run in the top of the seventh when Marissa Toy reached on an error, stole a base and sped home on a Sarah Peterson ground out.

Tracy loaded the bases and scored a run in the bottom of the frame, but Brianna Parker forced a pop up and strikeout from the top of Tracy’s order to end the game.

“We have had a lot of opportunities to score, and we are getting the girls to play with a lot more passion in their games,” Oakdale coach Larry Loger said. “They are not quite playing at the level they should be yet, and the time to start doing it is Tuesday.”

Parker struck out six in seven innings of work and allowed just two hits. Toy went 2 for 4 with a triple while Kaila Olson (1 for 3, walk, run) and Sarah Peterson (2 for 4, two RBIs, run) came through at the plate.

Oakdale is at Weston Ranch on Thursday, March 24.