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Soccer Squad Splits Two Contests
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A flurry of late goals doomed Escalon's varsity soccer team on Tuesday, as the squad lost to Oakdale, but they rebounded with a victory on Thursday at Argonaut.

Getting on the field for the home game Aug. 24 with Oakdale, the Cougars were shut out, 4-0.

"They got the last two goals in the last 10 to 15 minutes," said Escalon head coach Chris Oliveira, whose team had kept the contest close up until that point.

"They're pretty good and they're all about business," Oliveira added of Oakdale. "They come off the bus and they're ready to play."

Strong efforts for Escalon came from Saul Plascencia in the midfield, with Esteban Collazo earning praise for his work on defense and in goal.

Thursday at Argonaut, the Cougars took a 4-1 win off the field in what Oliveira said should have been a blowout for his team.

Brian Beeman got the first goal with an assist from Will Eachus, Derek Castro scored the second with Plascencia notching the assist.

The first half tallies gave Escalon a 2-0 advantage at the midway point, but Oliveira said he anticipated a larger offensive number.

"They scored and that made it 2-1," the coach noted.

Plascencia gave the Cougars a little breathing room, 3-1, on a penalty kick and Ricardo Paez sealed the win with a late unassisted goal for the 4-1 final.

"I think we played better against Oakdale," admitted Oliveira. "The last five minutes (against Argonaut) we pulled it together, I felt better when we got the last two goals."

The boys will host Sierra in a 4 p.m. contest Thursday, Sept. 2.

The JV boys tied Oakdale, 2-2, in the home game on Tuesday and then lost a close one, 5-4, to Argonaut on Thursday.

"They passed the ball very well, but Argonaut used a few of their varsity guys," Oliveira noted.