Oakdale girls dominate Rio Americano to win second straight section water polo title

The Sac-Joaquin Section official handing out the banners on Saturday called the Oakdale High School girls water polo program a “dynasty.”

It’s a lofty term but one that certainly fits – especially after the Mustangs claimed their second consecutive Division II championship at the Roseville Aquatics Complex.

It wasn’t so much that the Mustangs beat Rio Americano in the title game. It was how they did it, dominating the Raiders 10-3.

“This was our goal, to get back here,” Oakdale coach Diane Kline said. “Last year was really exciting, and we were surprised to win. This year, they felt really confident. We’re in pretty elite company with our second (title).

“It means a lot. It’s nice to see their hard work pay off.”

It was the third year in a row the two teams met in the title game, but the Mustangs were the team that looked like they had been there before. It was Oakdale’s fourth consecutive title game appearance, and the Mustangs (29-4) wasted no time getting going.

Oakdale sophomore Emily Bennett scored two quick goals, then Emily Stolken and Shelby Stender added goals to give the Mustangs a startling 4-0 lead in the first quarter.

Rio Americano scored three unanswered goals to pull within 4-3 in the second quarter, and it appeared the game was going to turn into a battle.

But a stifling defense and the offense of Stolken and Stender – two of Oakdale’s senior leaders – proved too much for the Raiders, who didn’t score the rest of the way.

Stolken’s two goals late in the first half gave Oakdale a 6-3 lead at halftime. Stolken finished with four goals and Stender three. Junior goalie Caitlin Golding never seemed out of place in the cage.

For Bennett, a sophomore, it’s two section titles in her two years at Oakdale. Can the Mustangs keep going?

“I want to,” Bennett said. “As long as we keep working hard ... we’re going to not step it down; we’re going to step up.”

Saturday’s victory was a fitting way for Stender, the two-time All-District Player of the Year, to conclude her high school career. She played in four section title games, winning the last two.

“It’s incredible that we did it two years in a row,” Stender said. “Hopefully, it continues for the next couple of years.”

This story was originally published November 15, 2014 at 4:13 PM with the headline "Oakdale girls dominate Rio Americano to win second straight section water polo title."