Ceres High School’s girls water polo team secured a split during the opening week of Western Athletic Conference play.

The Bulldogs edged the Johansen Vikings 13-10 on Sept. 15 in Modesto.

“The girls earned it,” said Coach Stephen Dias . “Johansen played a good game. It was competitive.”

Kaylie Clindaniel led Ceres High in scoring with four goals.

Amber Hopwood and freshman Presley Vierra both tallied three goals.

Reagan Hensley contributed two goals.

Lilly Blevins added one goal.

Ceres High led 7-4 at the break.

Each team scored six goals during the second half.

“We always tell the girls to pass the ball and keep moving,” Dias said. “They were doing that. That helped a lot.”

Johansen played shorthanded as one of its starters wasn’t allowed to return to the game after receiving three major fouls.

“That could have made the difference in the game,” Dias said. “Our girls need to be aware of that for the next game.”

Beyer cruised to a 17-6 win over Ceres High on Sept. 13 in Modesto.

Blevins led the Bulldogs in scoring with two goals.

Clindaniel, Hopwood, Hensley and Jessie Blevins all had one goal.

Arleth Sanchez had seven saves.

“Beyer was a much stronger team,” Dias said. “Now that we’ve seen what they can do, we have a lot of room to grow. We need to play stronger on defense. I’ll rearrange my defense next time.”

Ceres High trailed 4-1 at the end of the first period.

The Patriots outscored the Bulldogs 13-5 the rest of the way.

“We weren’t able to play both offense and defense, effectively,” Dias said.

BOYS

Ceres High School’s youth-laden boys water polo team lost to Johansen and Beyer during the opening week of WAC play.

Seven of the Bulldogs’ nine players, including five starters, are freshmen.

“I’m trying to get my kids as much playing time as I can,” said Derek Wach, first-year head coach. “I only have two subs.”

Ceres High fell 14-1 at Johansen on Sept. 15.

Freshman Abel Samaniego accounted for the Bulldogs’ lone goal.

Ceres High trailed 4-1 midway through the first period.

“They definitely improved from Tuesday to Thursday,” Wach said. “We were able to move the ball down the pool and set up our offense. We took a lot more shots.”

Ceres High suffered a 14-1 loss at Beyer on Sept. 13.

Freshman Miles Cabling prevented the shutout with a goal at the 6:13 mark of the third period.

The Bulldogs fell behind 10-0 in the first period.

“Beyer was completely dominant,” Wach said. “They shut down our offense.”