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Bulldogs find success in NorCal tourney, headed to semifinals
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Turlock senior Jack Brem scores a free-throw in the second half of Tuesday’s 20-8 win against San Marin High in the first round of the CIF Northern California Regional Division III Boys Water Polo Tournament at Modesto Junior College. He finished with a career-high 10 goals (NAVTEJ HUNDAL/The Journal).

After the Turlock High School boys water polo team lost to Rocklin High in the semifinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs last Wednesday, head coach Nic Serratos and his players thought their season was over.

However, the program found out Sunday that it clinched an at-large bid to the CIF Northern California Regional Division III Tournament, and the Bulldogs were excited but also mindful of the opportunity.

“We had to embrace that loss, kind of learn from it and then try to get the kids back (and) ready to go,” Serratos said. “It’s kind of a weird scenario where we almost started to kind of wind down (the intensity) and then we had to crank it back up for practice.”

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Turlock junior Mason Hackler throws a pass during the third quarter of the team’s 20-8 win against San Marin (NAVTEJ HUNDAL/The Journal).

In its first-ever appearance in the tournament, No. 4 Turlock defeated No. 5 San Marin High, 20-8, in the first round Tuesday at Modesto Junior College.

The Bulldogs will travel to San Jose on Thursday for its semifinals matchup against top-seeded Archbishop Mitty. Archbishop Mitty won its first round matchup against No. 8 Tulare Western High, 19-11, on Tuesday.

Thursday’s match begins at 5 p.m.

Leading the Bulldogs on Tuesday was the senior trio of Jack Brem, Lars Wenstrand and Jacob Packwood, who scored a combined 15 goals.

Brem finished the night with a career-high 10 goals. The Central California Athletic League all-first teamer credited his performance in taking advantage of the Mustangs’ defense not guarding the right of the goal, which gave him enough space to score.

“Their defense was really good, but they slept off at the one spot, which allowed me to just attack … and get a lot of open space to get easy shots off,” Brem said.

Serratos praised the senior’s performance, referring to him as a “big-time player.”

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Turlock junior Ethan Parker, left, looks for an open teammate during the Bulldogs’ 20-8 win against San Marin High (NAVTEJ HUNDAL/The Journal).

“I mean, big-time players step up (in) big-time games,” Serratos said. “It's just cool to kind of see him kind of do what he’s been doing all year on the biggest stage and (be) able to perform at the highest level.”

Another player who had a career-night was senior goalkeeper Jonas Bornmann with 17 saves, getting multiple stops that lead to scoring opportunities for Turlock. His performance resulted in the Mustangs scoring its second-lowest points in a game this season at eight.

Turlock led for the entire game and went into the fourth quarter with a 11-7 lead. With four goals from Brem and Bornmann allowing one goal, the Bulldogs outscored San Marin 9-1 to pull away in the final period.

While the win is worth celebrating for, Serratos said the players know they have a tall task ahead of them with the senior players looking to continue their final season.

“Luckily for this team, they're a really mentally tough group that just likes to play ball,” he said. “I think they’re just excited at the prospect of playing another water polo game together and being able to play with the senior class.”