IN SPORTS: LODI BEATS TOKAY IN GIRLS GOLF
WOODBRIDGE — In the battle of unbeaten rivalry teams, being No. 5 paid off.
That is what it came down to between the Lodi and Tokay girls golf teams in their Tri-City Athletic League showdown at the Woodbridge Golf and Country Club on Wednesday. Both entering undefeated in league play, only Lodi remained that way by posting a 239-248 win over Tokay.
Lodi ends the first round of TCAL action with a 5-0 record and 9-0 overall. Tokay is now 4-1 in league play.
The Flames’ No. 5 golfer is Kerrie Nickel fired a 50 on the lake course par-37. That, Lodi coach Jim Staal pointed, was the difference. Tokay’s Annika Hauschildt finished with a 59.
“I think it kind of decided with our final group,” said Staal, who is referring to the Lodi and Tokay Nos. 5-6 golfers. “We had to stuck it out on the back end of that match. But it was very close.”
Amelia Garibaldi, a freshman who is Lodi’s No. 1 golfer, had an even par-37 in the match. Desiree Vasquez followed at 45, then after Nickel was Reese Koenig at 53 and Delaney Vasquez 54.
Aleesa Ohata, Tokay’s top golfer, was just two-over-par at 39. Elisa Cabrera followed at 47, Emma Buck 51 and Hannah Hauschildt 52.
Depth, Staal noted, was a big factor for both teams in Wednesday’s match.
“I think team high school golf in what separates teams a lot is depth,” Staal said. “I think both teams have a lot of good teams in their Nos. 3-4, but ultimately you have to be a little bit better in the 5-6 spots.”
Under first-year Tokay coach Kasey Ota, a 2010 Tokay graduate who teaches biology at the school, the Tigers have shown significant improvement.
“I’m very impressed with Tokay,” Staal said. “They played their Nos. 5 and 6 and they hit a
bunch a different shots. Tokay is for real, there is no doubt about it.”
Today, Lodi opens the second round of TCAL action, back at Woodbridge, against Tracy. Tokay hits the road to face St. Mary’s at Stockton Country Club. Both matches are scheduled to start at 3 p.m.