The Oakdale varsity soccer boys are back in second place after falling to third on Oct. 16. Since then the boys faced off with East Union and Kimball, winning one and tying one to get back into second place in the competitive Valley Oak League.

Monday night, Oct. 19 Oakdale hosted East Union where both teams scored goals in the first half, but could not find the back of the net after, resulting in a 1-1 tie. Oakdale’s lone goal came off the foot of Zach Barnum on an assist from Austin Neave. Last time these two teams squared off, they tied 2-2 in East Union on Sept. 23.

“We hit a wall mentally. I think the team was still focused on our off performances from the week before and it showed up in this game,” Coach Alfredo Quiroga stated.

Oakdale bounced back two days later on the road against Kimball. After trailing 1-0 early in the first half, the Mustangs offense broke out in a 4-1 win, scoring two goals in the first and following up with two more tallies in the second half. Wesley Allen led the team with one goal and a pair of assists, while Juan Arias, Tony Verduzco, Abe Jauregui and Barnum each added a goal in the game for the Mustangs. Neave added his second assist in as many games for the squad.

“We came out flat and were in an 0-1 hole, but the boys turned it around and shook it off and were focused after that,” Quiroga pointed out.

Oakdale is currently 8-1-3 in the VOL standings just behind first place Weston Ranch which is 10-1-1. Oakdale has two games remaining on their schedule, Monday, Oct. 26 against first place Weston Ranch (game was held after The Leader’s press time) and finish against Central Catholic on Wednesday, Oct. 28 for Senior Night.

Oakdale knocked off Weston Ranch in Stockton on Sept. 30, 4-1. That was the Cougars last loss of the season, as they are currently riding a seven-game winning streak.

“We believe we can win this game and take first place. We have proven we could beat them this season,” Quiroga stated.