Local roundup: Spartan boys soccer falls to Woodlake

STRATHMORE — It was a chance to see how for the Strathmore High boys soccer team to see how it measure up against one of the Valley’s best and while the Spartans  didn’t provide a strong challenge to Woodlake, there was still plenty to be encouraged about.

The Tigers came away with a convincing 5-1 win over SHS on Tuesday at Spartan Stadium in the two schools’ East Sequoia League opener. But after all, Woodlake is the defending Valley Division V champion and looked more than ready to defend its title.

And Strathmore still believes it can contend in Division VI as it has still had an encouraging season so far. Woodlake gave SHS its first loss as Strathmore fell to 5-1-3. The Spartans brought a five-game winning streak into Tuesday’s game, which including winning its division at the Lemoore Tournament, and posting shutouts in their last three games.

Fernando Garcia had also gotten off to a hot start for SHS, scoring 19 goals in the Spartans’ first 19 games. Woodlake was well aware of that, following Garcia the entire game. The Tigers held Garcia scoreless, but he still almost broke through a couple of times.

“They marked him pretty good,” Strathmore coach Kish Patel said. “Woodlake’s a hard game all the time. They’re very organized, well-coached.”

Woodlake jumped on Strathmore for three goals in the first 15 minutes, but after that SHS really played the Tigers on even terms. “Give all the credit to Woodlake,” Patel said. “Woodlake’s a great team.

“We’ve been playing really well. I thought we played pretty well. It was a good performance against a very good team.”

But after playing Woodlake evenly after the first 15 minutes of the first half, it had a couple of defensive breakdowns late in the half. Goalie Luis Barraza was able to come out and make an excellent save on the first breakdown, but the second breakdown proved to be costly in the final seconds of the half as Woodlake took advantage to take a 4-0 halftime lead.

Garcia had an excellent chance to score early in the second half, but couldn’t convert. Strathmore finally broke through when Woodlake’s goalie had to come out against Jesse Romero, who was about to score on a breakaway. Romero was fouled by the goalie in the goal box and Hector Garcia converted the penalty kick, pulling Strathmore to within 4-1.

BASKETBALL

RIVERDALE 58, STRATHMORE BOYS 38

Eddie Lurz scored 10 points to lead Strathmore.

STRATHMORE JV BOYS 56, RIVERDALE 19

Drew Pearson scored 14 points and Hector Garcia and Juan Bravo each scored 10 points to be the leading scorers for Strathmore’s junior varsity.

STRATHMORE — It was a chance to see how for the Strathmore High boys soccer team to see how it measure up against one of the Valley’s best and while the Spartans  didn’t provide a strong challenge to Woodlake, there was still plenty to be encouraged about.

The Tigers came away with a convincing 5-1 win over SHS on Tuesday at Spartan Stadium in the two schools’ East Sequoia League opener. But after all, Woodlake is the defending Valley Division V champion and looked more than ready to defend its title.

And Strathmore still believes it can contend in Division VI as it has still had an encouraging season so far. Woodlake gave SHS its first loss as Strathmore fell to 5-1-3. The Spartans brought a five-game winning streak into Tuesday’s game, which including winning its division at the Lemoore Tournament, and posting shutouts in their last three games.

Fernando Garcia had also gotten off to a hot start for SHS, scoring 19 goals in the Spartans’ first 19 games. Woodlake was well aware of that, following Garcia the entire game. The Tigers held Garcia scoreless, but he still almost broke through a couple of times.

“They marked him pretty good,” Strathmore coach Kish Patel said. “Woodlake’s a hard game all the time. They’re very organized, well-coached.”

Woodlake jumped on Strathmore for three goals in the first 15 minutes, but after that SHS really played the Tigers on even terms. “Give all the credit to Woodlake,” Patel said.

“Woodlake’s a great team.

“We’ve been playing really well. I thought we played pretty well. It was a good performance against a very good team.”

But after playing Woodlake evenly after the first 15 minutes of the first half, it had a couple of defensive breakdowns late in the half. Goalie Luis Barraza was able to come out and make an excellent save on the first breakdown, but the second breakdown proved to be costly in the final seconds of the half as Woodlake took advantage to take a 4-0 halftime lead.

Garcia had an excellent chance to score early in the second half, but couldn’t convert.

Strathmore finally broke through when Woodlake’s goalie had to come out against Jesse Romero, who was about to score on a breakaway. Romero was fouled by the goalie in the goal box and Hector Garcia converted the penalty kick, pulling Strathmore to within 4-1.

BASKETBALL

RIVERDALE 58, STRATHMORE BOYS 38

Eddie Lurz scored 10 points to lead Strathmore.

STRATHMORE JV BOYS 56, RIVERDALE 19

Drew Pearson scored 14 points and Hector Garcia and Juan Bravo each scored 10 points to be the leading scorers for Strathmore’s junior varsity.