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Weather Puts Damper On Mustangs Soccer
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Isaac Valero, 19, steals the ball away from a Pitman player during the team’s scrimmage. DENNIS D. CRUZ/THE LEADER

With the amount of rain that fell across the region this past week, the Oakdale Mustangs soccer squads were once again held in check. Mother Nature’s wrath caused cancellation of the two day Pitman tournament that was scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 – a tournament the soccer boys were scheduled to attend.

Oakdale did manage to take the field twice this week when the team held a scrimmage against Pitman on Tuesday, Nov. 27 where both the junior varsity and varsity teams got to step on the field for the first time this season. The following day, Oakdale traveled to Galt for their first non-league contest of the season where the varsity team lost 6-0 and the junior varsity fell 2-0. In the first half of the road game Oakdale’s varsity trailed 1-0 but surrendered five goals in the second half. The Mustangs are scheduled to have their league opener on Tuesday, Dec. 11 when they host Manteca. Junior varsity is scheduled for 4 p.m. with the varsity at 5:45 p.m.

For the girls team, Oakdale squeezed in a pair of non-league games this week. On Monday, Nov. 26 Oakdale traveled to Sonora to take on the Wildcats where the varsity girls tied 2-2. Never leading in the contest, Oakdale countered goal for goal with the longtime rival. Down 1-0 in the first half, Brianna Montoya scored off an assist from Krissy Lolonis. Late in the second half down 2-1, freshman Jade Manerquez scored on an assist by Kassy Rodriquez with three minutes remaining. The junior varsity girls were blanked by Sonora 8-0 in their only game of the week.

Despite the soggy field conditions, Oakdale hosted Venture Academy on Friday, Nov. 30 where the girls won 2-0. Kassy Rodriguez and Payton Bohannon each scored goals that were assisted by Manerquez. Goalies Lindsey Lumm and Victoria Rojas combined for the shutout.

On Tuesday, Dec. 4 the girls hosted Downey following The Leader’s press time. On tap for the girls this week will be the Pitman Tournament in Turlock scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Oakdale opens league play with a pair of road games. The season opener will be Wednesday, Dec. 12 at Manteca and on Monday, Dec. 17 the team will play at East Union.