The start of league didn't go as planned for the Turlock varsity girls water polo team, which went into the week with three straight road games in three days.
Only one was a league contest against El Capitan, yet the Bulldogs still fell in that match and in the following two games to Sonora on Tuesday and Oakdale on Wednesday afternoon, closing out the week with an 0-3 record.
“We knew it would be a tough schedule for the girls and all the teams we played, well they play summer ball together, we knew it would be tough and be competitive,” said Turlock head coach Anne Cornell.
On Monday, Turlock lost to El Capitan 12-8 to kick off league play in the Central California Conference.
“The first half we played competitive with them, but made fundamental mistakes and went down by three goals early on,” said Cornell. “Couple shots and they countered and couldn't catch up. We battled back, but at that point it was a catch-up game.”
Lauren Stewart scored three goals while Caitlin Cornell added two. Ashley Figurell and Allie Serratos both added one and so did Jackie Vierra. Cornell finished with two assists, Emily Braley added one and so did Vierra.
Turlock went into Tuesday's road match hoping to turn things around, but fell to Sonora 13-8.
“They are pretty competitive and on the girls side they have are tough swimmers just a different game and we had to adjust to their style and it took till the third quarter,” said Cornell.
In that game Nicole Groteguth scored four goals; Rachel Morris two. Serratos and Cornell added one apiece. Serratos added four steals, and Cornell and Stewart had two steals apiece.
“Sonora took the lead and never gave it up. Started off slow in the first and second, but in the third they stepped it up,” said Cornell.
The compacted week ended on Wednesday after the 'Dogs fell to Oakdale for a third straight loss, 10-6.
“[We were] very evenly matched. We had fundamental mistakes, didn't react quick enough and it was the difference in scoring opportunities,” said Cornell.
Against Oakdale, Groteguth and Serratos scored a pair of goals. Groteguth and Serratos also finished with five steals apiece and Cornell added four.
“There were opportunities to go ahead and we just missed some fundamental opportunities, but played strong, very proud of them,” Cornell added.
Turlock will next host Atwater at 5 p.m. Monday.
