Turlock junior Kishauna Mavis was one goal away from a hat-trick on Monday night in the Bulldogs' crosstown battle with Pitman High from Joe Debely Stadium.

Mavis scored a pair of goals in the first half and the defense was able to fend off the Pride attack for the remainder of the game as they captured the team’s fourth Central California Conference win in a 2-0 final.

“I was a little nervous but more excited because we have been playing well but I knew we had it in us if we played our game,” said Mavis.

“I think our girls did a great job staying focus and I think we pushed hard through the whole game,” said Pitman coach Annabel Perez. “Hopefully next time we will know what they are capable of and make up for those little mistakes. Overall we did well, but not our greatest.” 

Pitman was coming off a 7-0 beating of Buhach Colony exactly 10 days prior from Monday’s match, after a rain delay halted all contests last week.

It didn’t help that the Pride were playing with five players who were battling injuries according to Perez.

“We had a key player break her ankle a couple weeks ago and had some ankle and groin injuries, but some are playing injured, close to five of them,” said Perez.

Turlock, which is loaded with talent and a deep, young bench, hasn’t had to deal with the same issues.

The Bulldogs, who been healthy, have proven over the season that they are the real deal and they continued their success on Monday.

It took all but 15 minutes before a goal was scored.

Danielle Sousa of Turlock kicked a corner and after the ball bounced off a handful of players, Mavis was able to launch forward and get her head on the ball, powering it over the goalkeeper's head to break the stalemate.

“The ball was coming off a corner and I expected Daisy or Megan to attempt the header since they are usually the ones to do so and it bounced off a player's head and I just jumped in,” said Mavis. “I knew it was going somewhere.”

The ball went in and gave the ‘Dogs a 1-0 lead at the time.

Just before the first half concluded, at exactly the 33-minute mark, Mavis was able to find the back of the net for the second and final time after she sprinted her way down the field and eventually made her way to the 18-yard box.

Just on the side of the 18 yard box, Mavis, with a defender in her face, was able to gently place a finesse shot over the defender and goalkeeper and into the crease, just missing the top post and curving in the shot for the back of the net.

“When you play your hometown rivals, it’s always hard and always very competitive no matter the skill,” said Turlock head coach Temo Arteaga. “It will always be competitive and that is what you want, you want a close game.”

Turlock was able to fend off Pitman for the remainder of the game and keep their record clean.

Pitman has now lost three of the last four games. In those three losses Pitman was outscored 7-1.

The Pride fall to 2-3 in CCC play and 6-6-1 overall while Turlock remains perfect.  The Bulldogs of Turlock are 4-0-1 in the CCC and 9-0-2 overall.

“I don’t want to say it’s been a huge surprise, but these girls work really hard,” said Arteaga. “They all like each other and are friends outside the field, so that chemistry is there and I knew coming into the season we would have a good team, but I didn’t think we would be doing this well.”

Turlock also defeats Pitman for the first time since March 28, 2015 when the ‘Dogs toppled the Pride, 3-1. Since then, Turlock has gone 0-3-2 over the last five games with Pitman prior to Monday’s win.

“I prefer losing now, because my first two years we went undefeated and lost in first round of playoffs,” said Arteaga. “I want to make sure we lose now or soon and make it past the first round of playoffs. We have to keep working hard, and not give up regardless of an outcome, just keep fighting till the end.” 

“I definitely think Turlock was a bit more physical than we were and that is why we lost a lot of the 50-50 balls,” Perez added. “I think the girls could have played better on the physical side but I think they gave it their all. There was a few times we broke down and Turlock got the best of us for the most part.”

Turlock will next host El Capitan at 5:30 p.m. today.

Pitman will take on Golden Valley at home at 3:30 p.m. Friday.