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Bulldogs fall to undefeated Jags
Turlock boys soccer 1
Turlock’s Julian Yanez keeps ahead of a Gregori opponent during Friday’s CCAL contest. Turlock lost 4-0 (CANDY PADILLA/The Journal).

Gregori High scored twice in the opening 19 minutes and cruised to a 4-0 boys soccer victory over Turlock, officially eliminating the Bulldogs from Central California Athletic League contention

With the victory, the Jaguars improve to 7-0 in the CCAL and 12-4 overall, while Turlock dips to 3-4 in conference play and 8-5-4 for the season.

Fifteen minutes into the contest, Gregori midfielder Michael Daley took a beautiful pass from the corner and headed it in for a 1-0 lead. 

The score came off a corner kick that was nudged into the field of play toward a nearby player, who lofted the pass into the box.

“I’ve been running that play for the past 13 years,” said Gregori coach Ethan Duewell. “That’s probably the first we’ve ever scored on that play. We probably should have scored on that play before, but that’s probably the first time.”

The Jags struck again must four minutes later when striker Adrian Yepez scored on a penalty kick, delivering a cheeky little chip shot over the Bulldogs’ goalie.

At that point, Turlock’s enthusiasm seemed to wane.

“I would definitely agree,” said Turlock's first-year head coach Froylan Flores, a 2010 graduate of Delhi High School. “We tend to start out a little slow, and then play a more complete second half.”

Gregori made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute when midfielder Guillermo Castaneda scored on a breakaway, Ten minutes later, Yepez struck again, this time firing a laser past the keeper from the PK spot.

“These are the best 10 field players I’ve had in 40 years of coaching,” said Duewell. “I've had better individual players, but as a group of 10, these are the best. And it all starts with our back line.”

The Jaguars’ back line of Trey Fox, Gabe Rico, Braden Herline and Jackson Sharar kept the Turlock attack at bay for most of the contest.

“We were a little out of shape defensively in the second half and they attacked that well,” said Duewell. “That gave them some opportunities, or at least some half-opportunities.”

The Jaguars will see action again on Wednesday when they host Enochs, while the Bulldogs will travel across town to face rival Pitman at 6:30 p.m.