Closing out preseason action early in the week, the Escalon varsity soccer teams then began their Trans-Valley League campaigns.

Monday, the varsity soccer boys took a 3-2 loss on the road at Calaveras.

“First half started well but we let down at the end of the half and gave up two goals,” said head coach Paul Silva. “Gave up another goal early in the second half but then got back into the game with two goals from Jesse Gomez, one was assisted by Damian Morales. We kept pushing for the equalizer but couldn’t get it.”

Trans-Valley League play started for the soccer squad on Dec. 18, as they hosted Sonora. The final was 4-3 in favor of the visitors.

“We were up 2-1 at halftime with goals from Jesse Gomez and Adrian Velazquez,” said Silva.

Escalon had the lead, 3-2, with 10 minutes left in the game after another goal from Gomez, but then the team ran into some bad luck.

“We suffered three consecutive injuries,” Silva said. “We lost our defensive shape and they took advantage of our reshuffling.”

Friday, the boys traveled to Hilmar and were shut out, 1-0.

“We gave up their goal just before halftime,” the coach explained. “Our defensive shape was excellent and really limited their opportunities apart from their goal. We had a few changes to score but couldn’t get it in.”

Girls Soccer

A tie and two losses were the result of the action for the girls on the soccer pitch this past week.

They forged a 1-1 tie with Calaveras in a home game on Dec. 16, the goal coming from Adriana Romero in the first half. Calaveras was able to tie the game late in the second half.

League play started at Sonora on Dec. 18, the girls falling by a 5-1 final.

“We played hard in the second half, holding Sonora to only one goal” in that frame, said assistant coach Jim Ball.

Friday, the girls hosted Hilmar and took an 8-1 loss.