The Valley Oak League champion Oakdale High School girls water polo team advanced to the second round of the postseason, but fell there to the top seed to end their season. Oakdale, which entered the 2018 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Girls Division I as the eighth seed, found success in the opening round against ninth seeded Turlock. Oakdale won the match 8-6 over the Lady Bulldogs but suffered an agonizing 20-2 loss against Davis just two days later.

In their home win against Turlock, Oakdale trailed 2-0 early in the first period but Bethany Metcalfe tossed in a goal with 2:55 left in the first period. Down 3-1 in the second period, Hannah Lee scored with 2:30 remaining in the half. From there, Metcalfe took over.

The senior made the most of her final home match and would score Oakdale’s next six goals to cap off her seven goal evening. Shortly after Lee found the net, Metcalfe scored to make it 3-3 at the half. Metcalfe scored her first goal of the second half to tie the game once again at 4-4 with 5:20 remaining in the third. In the fourth period, Metcalfe scored four goals to power Oakdale to victory.

“I just did not want to let anyone down to be honest. This would be our last home game and we all wanted to make it memorable. Turlock is a tough team, we match up pretty well with each other and even when we were down, we did not lose sight of our goal,” said Metcalfe.

On Friday, Nov. 2 the team headed to Brooks Swim Center in Woodland to face the top seed Davis (SR). With the match out of hand, Oakdale had their goalkeeper Camryn O’Neal come out of the net in the final period and O’Neal scored a late fourth period goal. Oakdale’s other goal was scored by Hayley Rivera.

“This season was so fun to be a part of,” said head coach Diane Kline. “Every girl worked hard, and was committed to putting in the effort needed to improve on our finish to the season. I am proud of each and every girl on this team. They are a special group.”