Ceres High School's varsity boys water polo team escaped with a 10-8 victory against Downey last week in Modesto.
"They played really well together," head coach Tim Reyes said. "That's what we need to do every game."
The Bulldogs regrouped after blowing a three-goal lead in the final period of Thursday's non-conference, season opener.
Nick Serratos, Ceres High's top returning scorer from a season ago, tallied the go-ahead goal with 1:42 to play. He scored nine times against the Knights.
"The guys started getting anxious," Reyes said while talking about his team's letdown late in the game. "Once we slowed it down, we were fine."
Bulldog goalkeeper Kenny Carroll tallied a career-high 20 blocks. Carroll missed part of the 2009 season.
"He's the backbone of our team," Reyes said.
Ceres High and Downey battled to a 4-4 tie in the first half.
Serratos had three goals. Dylan Hines scored once.
Nick fired three shots past Downey's goalie and Carroll made four close-range saves as the Bulldogs broke a scoreless tie in the third period.
Serratos' seventh, eighth and ninth goals were scored in the final period.
Nick pumped his fist and yelled after giving Ceres High a 10-8 lead in the final minute.
Carroll collected his 20th save of the game with six seconds to play.
"Without him (Kenny), we wouldn't have won," Serratos said. "It's great having back this year."
Bulldogs 13, Knights 5
Ceres High School's varsity girls water polo team overcame a slow start and pulled away for a 13-5 win over Downey on Thursday in Modesto.
"They finally started playing together and smarter," Bulldogs head coach Lesley Willems said.
Courtney Frampton scored a game-high eight goals for Ceres High during the non-conference, season opener. Haley Fisicaro had three goals. Courtney Craig and Cassidy Hines both contributed one goal. Goalkeeper Allison Ghimenti totaled 14 blocks.
The Bulldogs took control after a competitive first period.
"They watched less and did more," said Willems, whose team built a 6-2 lead in the first half thanks to Frampton's four-goal scoring barrage in the second period.
Ceres High outscored Downey 7-3 after intermission.
The Knights kept the game close early because the Bulldogs lacked motivation. Ceres High beat Downey handily during a scrimmage on Monday.
"We anticipated an easier win," Willems said.
Frampton made sure Ceres High prevailed.
"She always does a great job," Willems said. "She's my second coach in the water."
"They played really well together," head coach Tim Reyes said. "That's what we need to do every game."
The Bulldogs regrouped after blowing a three-goal lead in the final period of Thursday's non-conference, season opener.
Nick Serratos, Ceres High's top returning scorer from a season ago, tallied the go-ahead goal with 1:42 to play. He scored nine times against the Knights.
"The guys started getting anxious," Reyes said while talking about his team's letdown late in the game. "Once we slowed it down, we were fine."
Bulldog goalkeeper Kenny Carroll tallied a career-high 20 blocks. Carroll missed part of the 2009 season.
"He's the backbone of our team," Reyes said.
Ceres High and Downey battled to a 4-4 tie in the first half.
Serratos had three goals. Dylan Hines scored once.
Nick fired three shots past Downey's goalie and Carroll made four close-range saves as the Bulldogs broke a scoreless tie in the third period.
Serratos' seventh, eighth and ninth goals were scored in the final period.
Nick pumped his fist and yelled after giving Ceres High a 10-8 lead in the final minute.
Carroll collected his 20th save of the game with six seconds to play.
"Without him (Kenny), we wouldn't have won," Serratos said. "It's great having back this year."
Bulldogs 13, Knights 5
Ceres High School's varsity girls water polo team overcame a slow start and pulled away for a 13-5 win over Downey on Thursday in Modesto.
"They finally started playing together and smarter," Bulldogs head coach Lesley Willems said.
Courtney Frampton scored a game-high eight goals for Ceres High during the non-conference, season opener. Haley Fisicaro had three goals. Courtney Craig and Cassidy Hines both contributed one goal. Goalkeeper Allison Ghimenti totaled 14 blocks.
The Bulldogs took control after a competitive first period.
"They watched less and did more," said Willems, whose team built a 6-2 lead in the first half thanks to Frampton's four-goal scoring barrage in the second period.
Ceres High outscored Downey 7-3 after intermission.
The Knights kept the game close early because the Bulldogs lacked motivation. Ceres High beat Downey handily during a scrimmage on Monday.
"We anticipated an easier win," Willems said.
Frampton made sure Ceres High prevailed.
"She always does a great job," Willems said. "She's my second coach in the water."
