Coming close, but not quite notching a league win this past week, the Escalon Lady Cougars took on Hughson and Ripon.

First year head coach Chris Casazza said they faced off with Hughson at the Escalon Golf Course in a home match on Sept. 12.

Final was Hughson 172, Escalon 177.

“We were optimistic that we would match up well against Hughson,” said Casazza. “The girls played great and we almost had our first league victory, losing by just five strokes.”

Scoring for the Escalon squad were Rose Percey 38, Elizabeth Allan 41, Genevieve Casazza 46, Taylor Bruns 52. Also on the course that day were Cortney Ball, 54 and Samantha Bruns, 59.

“It was a close match, and the girls are looking forward to playing Hughson again in a few weeks,” the coach added.

On Thursday, Sept. 14 the girls were again at home, hosting Ripon and fell by a 163-185 decision.

Casazza came in at 40 and Percey with a 44, followed by Samantha Bruns with a 50 and Taylor Bruns at 51. Ball carded a 57 and Isabelle Titsworth had a 66.

“We knew Ripon would be a tough match, they are one of the better teams in the TVL,” Casazza noted. “That said, our Escalon girls went out, played hard, and never gave up. The girls battled some tough course conditions because the mower the course uses to mow the fairways is broken. The unusually dep grass resulted in some frustration and a few lost balls. I’m proud that the girls persevered and stayed positive.”

The girls were to play against Livingston at Rancho Del Ray in Atwater this week with just one match scheduled.

“On Thursday (Sept. 21) we have a PGA professional coming out to practice to do a group lesson for the whole team,” added the coach. “The following Monday, September 25, is the TVL mid-year tournament at Manteca Golf Course.”