Katie Griffith didn't play against Beyer on Oct. 5 because she was sick. The junior watched from the pool deck as the Patriots cruised to a 9-4 victory over the Ceres High girls water polo team.

"I wanted to play so bad," she said.

On Thursday, Griffith helped lead the Bulldogs to an 11-1 victory over the Patriots in Ceres. She had three goals, five steals and one assist.

"All of the girls had a good game," said Ceres coach Lesley Willems.

Lauren Griffin had four goals, Sarah Willems had three goals and two assists, Tristin Long had one assist and three steals, Jayme Westbrook had one goal and Amanda Arrollo had 11 saves, two assists and two steals for the Bulldogs, who improved to 5-8 in the Modesto Metro Conference.

"This year, they have a chance to go to sections," Willems said.

Kathryn Lewis scored for Beyer (3-10). Goalie Carrisa Clements had three saves.

Ceres held Beyer scoreless in the first, third and fourth quarters.

"They stepped it up," Willems said. "They were a lot more aggressive.

"They really wanted to win."

The Bulldogs outscored the Patriots 10-0 in the second half.

Sarah Willems had two goals and two assists, Griffith scored twice and Griffin tallied a goal and an assist in the third quarter.

Griffin had two goals, and Griffith, Westbrook and Willems all scored once in the fourth quarter.

"They really turned it on in the second half," Willems said.

Each team scored once in the first half.

Lewis gave the Patriots a 1-0 lead in the first quarter.

Griffin evened the score at 1-all in the second quarter. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier