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Celebrating THS girls soccer’s past and present
THS girls soccer alumni game
Turlock High girls soccer players, both current and alumni, came together for an exhibition game on Monday (CANDY PADILLA/The Journal).

Female soccer players of yesterday and today came together at Joe Debely Stadium on Monday night for a unique night of soccer action, as the Turlock High School girls soccer program hosted a first-of-its-kind alumni game.

Despite chilly conditions, Monday’s crowd rivaled that of a regular season contest, with parents, siblings, and even husbands and children of former Bulldogs cheering on their efforts. The alumni defeated the 2025-26 Bulldogs by a 2-1 score.

Goals by the alumni were scored by Cylee Cowell and Emma Zamudio. The lone score for the current team came from sophomore Mara Gemperle.

The alumni game was an idea that first-year Turlock High head coach Fernando Montejano has been eager to implement. A native of Marin County who watched and participated in alumni games himself, he realized there was much more value than just providing laughs and entertainment.

Especially not with former Bulldogs.

Of the 22 alumni who signed up for Monday’s match, nearly half are currently playing or were not too far removed from competing at the collegiate level. Not only was the competition high level, but it offered a chance for players to network.

“Ever since I took over this program, I felt how supported it is, and I envisioned that I wanted to do this here,” said Montejano, who took over for Nicole Lonergan over the offseason. Lonergan was on hand to coach the winning alumni. “But this is more for connections. There are some girls that are playing at the college level. Some are at UC Merced, some are from Fresno State, Stan State. It shows the girls that playing at those levels is possible, and if they do go to these programs, there are familiar faces there to help them.”

But once the first whistle was blown, the friendly banter began, and the Bulldog legends pulled away. Cowell, who graduated in 2024, snuck the ball past the goalkeeper in the opening moments. Zamudio, who graduated last summer, struck in the second half. 

“It’s great to see everybody out and want to be a part of this,” Montejano said. “It’s great for our community.”