Despite missing some key contributors, Sierra’s girls soccer team was able to hang with unbeaten Lodi in a 1-0 road loss on Thursday.

Farrah Bender’s goal in the 17th minute on a set-piece pass from Madison Fitzer was the difference.

“We should have been able to tie the game, but we couldn’t come up with a goal,” Sierra coach Manuel Pires said. “We had our best opportunities in the second half. They had one good opportunity in the first half and they put it away. Both goalkeepers made some great saves, and it was a good challenge. Lodi has a pretty good team.”

Annika Beall came up with six saves for the Timberwolves (6-3), who put seven of their eight shots on frame. Lodi improved to 5-0-1. The Flames also prevailed in the junior varsity contest, 1-0.

Turlock 3, Manteca 0

The Buffaloes (9-1-1) tasted defeat for the first time this season, and host Turlock (3-2-2) scored every goal in the first half.

“We created some pretty good opportunities that we were unable to capitalize on, but we definitely played a good team,” Manteca coach Justin Coenenberg said. “Disappointed with the outcome, but I think we learned about ourselves as a team and hopefully we can fix some of the issues we had tonight.”