Senior Night 2020 did not go exactly as planned for the Oakdale High School varsity soccer boys.

Prior to their big showdown against Weston Ranch, Oakdale honored its eight seniors, including Sergio Millard, Fernando Blanco, Alfie Harris, Edgar Herrera, David Ayala, Isaac Valero, Nathan Neave and Brandon Martinez.

“This was a very skilled and unselfish group of seniors. Some of them did not see very much playing time but they supported those who did and did not complain. That made me very proud,” said Mustangs head coach Alfredo Quiroga. “The other seniors who did get to see playing time, led the team and did very well preparing the underclassmen for the future.”

Following the festivities the Mustangs (10-5-4, 7-2-2) took on Weston Ranch (10-1-6, 8-1-2) on Thursday, Feb. 6. Oakdale lost the game 1-0 to the first place Cougars. Goalkeeper Riley Blount had four saves in the contest, which was scoreless throughout the first half.

“It was a frustrating night, because the boys had many opportunities but could not finish. In the first half we had several chances but their goalkeeper is fantastic,” Quiroga said. “We became frustrated in the second half because our opportunities were limited.”

Oakdale and the Cougars tied 1-1 earlier in the season. Although it was a loss for the host squad, the varsity Mustangs clinched a playoff spot and ended their week in third place in the Valley Oak League standings.

That was the only match of the week for the Mustangs and on Tuesday, Feb. 11 Oakdale was scheduled to finish the regular season on the road at Central Catholic (7-6-2, 3-6-2) in Modesto.

The junior varsity team, meanwhile, fell to Weston Ranch 4-3. Carter Sturtevant scored all three goals for Oakdale. Two of the goals were assisted, with one each from Jackson Carota and Ryan Krause. The game was tied at two each at the half. Like their varsity counterparts, the JV boys were slated to wrap up the season at Central Catholic on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 3:30 p.m., after The Leader went to press.