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Oakdale takes control in MMC water polo
WATER POLO: 'Huge week' keeps Mustangs perfect in conference
last updated: October 03, 2008 05:25:24 AM
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OAKDALE -- Brian Billings didn't know if the ball would be coming to him, but he kept swimming madly toward the Modesto High goal, hoping a teammate would spot him.
As if on cue, Peter Siemsen lofted a pass in front of the goal and Billings rose from the water, slapping it past the goalie Thursday afternoon.
A moment later, a crowd of nearly 100 erupted as Oakdale regained control of the match on its way to a 9-7 victory over Modesto -- a win that gave the Mustangs sole possession of first place in the Modesto Metro Conference. Both teams were 5-0 going in.
"It's a huge week for our program, beating Johansen for the first time on Tuesday and coming back to beat Modesto," said coach Alan Stender, who helped start the program four years ago. "We've finished second, and twice we've finished third. This is exciting."
Oakdale's program has arrived ahead of schedule: The faithful were targeting 2010 as a breakthrough season, when the on-campus pool is expected to open.
One reason is plays like Siemsen's.
"It's not a planned play, it's just a reaction on Peter's part. He has great instinct, and he realized the play as developing," said Stender, whose team went up 9-7 in the fourth quarter on Billings' goal. "The best thing to happen for us was Brian driving to the goal. He created the action."
Modesto had scored three consecutive goals to climb within 8-7.
Chris Terwilliger (four goals) helped Oakdale to its lead, but it was the Mustangs' defense that frustrated Modesto for much of the match. Quinton Bailey, the Panthers' top scorer, was held to one goal.
"Our defense is what makes us a good team, because we all work hard at it," said Terwilliger, whose club had four steals in the final quarter. "We were able to pressure them into mistakes."
Bee staff writer Richard T. Estrada can be reached at restrada@modbee.com or 578-2300.
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