By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Back-to-back CCAL titles for THS girls polo
Turlock edges Pitman in final CCAL game
turlock girls polo1
Turlock High's Madysen Howry gets ready to take a shot during Monday's 11-6 win over Pitman High in the regular season finale. Turlock clinched the second straight CCAL title as undefeated champs, finishing another perfect 10-0 in league (EDDIE RUIZ/The Journal).

The Central California Athletic League title for girls water polo is staying at Turlock High after the Bulldogs clinched their second straight undefeated season in league, following an 11-6 win from home on Monday over the Pitman Pride in the regular season finale known as the Harvest Splash. 

“I’m really excited and very proud,” said Turlock head coach Anne Cornell.

Turlock’s CCAL record stays unblemished at 10-0 for the second straight year.

Pitman closes out CCAL play with a 7-3 record and secured a playoff spot.

Pitman girls polo1
Joelle Lok of Pitman High rips a shot during Monday's 11-6 loss to Turlock High in the regular season finale. Lok finished the game with a hat-trick, notching half of her team's goals (EDDIE RUIZ/The Journal).

“We are so young, and there is so much more to learn and I am extremely proud of what they overcame this season, especially coming here and into this pool,” said Pitman head coach Michaela Richter. “It is always harder to play a game here than to play a game at home, because of the dynamics at this place. To come out and hold them to 11 goals… I think we are one of the teams that really challenges them in our league. They are one hundred percent deserving, but I don’t think Pitman should be written off.” 

Heading into the game, the Pride were seeking a victory, especially since their first meeting was a 15-8 loss. Turlock nearly doubled Pitman’s score total. 

Following an intense first, the score read 7-3 with Turlock leading. 

The third quarter saw a 1-1 split in goals after Sadie Bigler and Joelle Lok each scored a goal within four minutes and 27 seconds of each other to make it 8-4. 

Bigler notched a hat-trick with 3:11 left in the fourth and Lok notched her hat-trick goal with 4 seconds remaining as Turlock won it, 11-6.
“I feel like the first half of the game was completely different from the first time we played them and put some pressure on them,” said Richter. “Our third and fourth quarter was not what I expected. We had a few goals that we could have kept from going in the goal, which happens, but rolling into playoffs with a game like this, and playing better than the first time we played them that is a victory in itself.” 

Playoffs will begin on Tuesday. For the latest updates on the playoff brackets visit cifsjs.org.