Schedule-wise, it was an easy week for the Escalon girl's golf team as they only had one match. But the way the match ended was anything but easy. Playing third place Ripon on their course at Jack Tone GC, the Lady Cougar linksters, pulled out a come from behind, 161-168 win, and moved their undefeated mark to 10-0 on the season and 7-0 in Valley-Foothill League play. The win helped strengthen their grip on first place. Coach Rusty Fachner admitted afterward that he thought Escalon had suffered its first dual match defeat on the season before a couple of timely rounds helped pull it out.
"It wasn't looking too good. We were 2 strokes down with 2 players left. Our remaining golfers, Nickey (Homen) and Kasey (John), had to come in with really good rounds and beat their opponents decisively. And that's exactly what happened."
Homen delivered her personal best round of 37 and John came in with a 48, two strokes better than her opponent. And with that, Escalon squeaked out a narrow victory.
Presli Pilati once again was sparkling on the day, also shooting a 37, and this match meant a little extra.
"The number one girl from Ripon beat Presli in the Mid-Season Tournament and Presli had a little 'revenge' motive. Presli ended up besting her by two strokes on the day. She was huge for us," Fachner noted.
Presli Pilati and Homen were followed in the match by Parker Pilati's 41 and Sabrina Luque's 46. Although not their lowest scores, Fachner still gave them credit for how they played their rounds.
"Sabrina and Parker were not at their best, but they were out there grinding. They managed to shoot well enough for us to win. Their attitude was terrific. They didn't get down on themselves and that really saved us. In the end, Sabrina said it best when she commented, 'The team won. That's all that matters.' It's that type of attitude that makes us winners."
The scoring was closed out with Kasey John's 48 and Mary Steves adding a 50.
In the end, it was once again the Lady Cougars' depth that was the key to winning.
"I've said all year, that our third, fourth, fifth and sixth players make a real difference because they consistently beat the girls from other schools in those respective spots. It really showed against Ripon," Fachner concluded.
The team plays Ripon Christian, Riverbank and Linden this week.
"It wasn't looking too good. We were 2 strokes down with 2 players left. Our remaining golfers, Nickey (Homen) and Kasey (John), had to come in with really good rounds and beat their opponents decisively. And that's exactly what happened."
Homen delivered her personal best round of 37 and John came in with a 48, two strokes better than her opponent. And with that, Escalon squeaked out a narrow victory.
Presli Pilati once again was sparkling on the day, also shooting a 37, and this match meant a little extra.
"The number one girl from Ripon beat Presli in the Mid-Season Tournament and Presli had a little 'revenge' motive. Presli ended up besting her by two strokes on the day. She was huge for us," Fachner noted.
Presli Pilati and Homen were followed in the match by Parker Pilati's 41 and Sabrina Luque's 46. Although not their lowest scores, Fachner still gave them credit for how they played their rounds.
"Sabrina and Parker were not at their best, but they were out there grinding. They managed to shoot well enough for us to win. Their attitude was terrific. They didn't get down on themselves and that really saved us. In the end, Sabrina said it best when she commented, 'The team won. That's all that matters.' It's that type of attitude that makes us winners."
The scoring was closed out with Kasey John's 48 and Mary Steves adding a 50.
In the end, it was once again the Lady Cougars' depth that was the key to winning.
"I've said all year, that our third, fourth, fifth and sixth players make a real difference because they consistently beat the girls from other schools in those respective spots. It really showed against Ripon," Fachner concluded.
The team plays Ripon Christian, Riverbank and Linden this week.
