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Pitman soccer tops Turlock for the second time this year
pitvturlock soccer pic2
The Pride's Ricardo Casillas works to keep control of the ball as Turlock players tightly surround him Tuesday evening. - photo by CANDY PADILLA / The Journal

The Pitman (7-2-1) Pride boys soccer team took advantage a few of Turlock’s (2-7-1) miscues in the first half and notched three goals to secure the 3-0 win in Tuesday’s Central California Conference matchup.

“Second half was just running through the motions, it was intense on both ends but just a tough game,” said Pitman head coach Oscar Mercado. “We took advantage of their mistakes and took advantage of the mindset of it, but the boys played well.”

“Pitman came out and put good pressure on us and forced us to make mistakes. Unfortunately, we gave them the goals and that was the difference,” said Turlock head coach Doug Sperry.

The win marks Pitman’s fourth consecutive CCC victory, including the second win over Turlock for the season.

“It’s all about the boys. We've been lucky to have these kids, it’s all on them,” said Mercado about the win streak.

Pitman came away with a goal about 15 minutes into the game after Turlock scored an own goal after a Miguel Galdamez corner.

What followed was back-to-back strikes, first by Miguel Galdamez, who was assisted by his brother Jonathan, just a matter of minutes afterwards and shot a flair from the top of the 18-yard box to the opposite corner.

“That was just a sweet goal,” Mercado said about the team’s second goal.

Ramsin Larios notched the third goal before the 35 minute mark and Pitman took a 3-0 lead heading into the half.

The second half was a stalemate with each side creating opportunities, but very few shots on goal were taken.

“We had opportunities but the mistakes we made were the worse we made all season and we can’t allow to do that and come out on top,” said Sperry.

Turlock once again failed to score a goal for the second consecutive night. In three of the last four, Turlock has failed to score at least one goal.

Pitman held on in the second half and prevented Turlock from scoring again.

 “It’s been the story of the season, we have not had any bad games but we just make one mistake or two we just have not put it together and keep making the mistakes but it’s a young talented team,” Sperry added. “So we will see, hopefully we get some of our older guys to keep these kids moving; if they want it we've got the potential.”

Pitman’s next game will be at home against Golden Valley at 4 p.m. Thursday.

The next game for Turlock will be away at Atwater High at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.