Ceres High School's varsity girls soccer team had its playoff hopes dashed after suffering back-to-back losses the week of April 23-29.
The Bulldogs closed out the Western Athletic Conference season on Monday, April 30.
Host Ceres High won its crosstown battle versus Central Valley, 3-1, at Bulldog Stadium.
The Bulldogs edged the Hawks 1-0 earlier this season. "It feels good being able to beat them," Ceres High junior Fabiana Soto said. "We wanted to win for our seniors. We worked together. We weren't selfish."
The Bulldogs (6-4-2, 20 points) finished in fourth place in the WAC standings.
Central Valley (3-9, 9 points) took fifth.
Central Catholic (7-2-3, 24 points) edged out Ceres High for the WAC's third and final playoff berth. The two teams tied twice.
"We had a lot of fun," Soto said. "We got better as the season went on."
The Bulldogs outscored the Hawks 1-0 in the opening half of last week's meeting. Viridiana Arroyo finished from 16 yards out with her right foot in the 24th minute. The ball rolled into the lower-left side of the goal.
Soto's 30-yard blast gave Ceres High a 2-0 lead less than five minutes into the second half.
Eight minutes later, Central Valley's Jackie Vasquez scored off a rebound. Hawk teammate Kayla Meshach lofted a free kick into the box and Bulldog goalkeeper Dayana Delgado knocked the ball into the air. Vasquez was in the right place at the right time.
In the 63rd minute, Ceres High's Brittany Valadez made a run down the left side of the field and delivered a perfect cross pass to Victoria Andrade. Andrade fired an 18-yard shot into the net.
Down 3-1, Central Valley threatened in the closing minutes.
Delgado (eight saves) made a diving stop on Dayelle Cueto's shot and tipped Emely Amaya's close-range attempt over the crossbar.
Hawk goalkeeper Alexis Ulloa tallied six saves.
"I thought it was a good game," Hawks head coach Cyndi Meshach said. "It was enjoyable to watch. It's not like we were blown out. We just needed to finish."
Arroyo, Valadez, Anissa Torres, Karina Manzo, Yari Gutierrez and Katie Herrera, Ceres High's six seniors, ended their prep soccer careers on a positive note.
Brittany also claimed family bragging rights. Her cousin Vivian suited up for Central Valley.
"Each year is different," Soto said. "This season was a good experience."
The Bulldogs closed out the Western Athletic Conference season on Monday, April 30.
Host Ceres High won its crosstown battle versus Central Valley, 3-1, at Bulldog Stadium.
The Bulldogs edged the Hawks 1-0 earlier this season. "It feels good being able to beat them," Ceres High junior Fabiana Soto said. "We wanted to win for our seniors. We worked together. We weren't selfish."
The Bulldogs (6-4-2, 20 points) finished in fourth place in the WAC standings.
Central Valley (3-9, 9 points) took fifth.
Central Catholic (7-2-3, 24 points) edged out Ceres High for the WAC's third and final playoff berth. The two teams tied twice.
"We had a lot of fun," Soto said. "We got better as the season went on."
The Bulldogs outscored the Hawks 1-0 in the opening half of last week's meeting. Viridiana Arroyo finished from 16 yards out with her right foot in the 24th minute. The ball rolled into the lower-left side of the goal.
Soto's 30-yard blast gave Ceres High a 2-0 lead less than five minutes into the second half.
Eight minutes later, Central Valley's Jackie Vasquez scored off a rebound. Hawk teammate Kayla Meshach lofted a free kick into the box and Bulldog goalkeeper Dayana Delgado knocked the ball into the air. Vasquez was in the right place at the right time.
In the 63rd minute, Ceres High's Brittany Valadez made a run down the left side of the field and delivered a perfect cross pass to Victoria Andrade. Andrade fired an 18-yard shot into the net.
Down 3-1, Central Valley threatened in the closing minutes.
Delgado (eight saves) made a diving stop on Dayelle Cueto's shot and tipped Emely Amaya's close-range attempt over the crossbar.
Hawk goalkeeper Alexis Ulloa tallied six saves.
"I thought it was a good game," Hawks head coach Cyndi Meshach said. "It was enjoyable to watch. It's not like we were blown out. We just needed to finish."
Arroyo, Valadez, Anissa Torres, Karina Manzo, Yari Gutierrez and Katie Herrera, Ceres High's six seniors, ended their prep soccer careers on a positive note.
Brittany also claimed family bragging rights. Her cousin Vivian suited up for Central Valley.
"Each year is different," Soto said. "This season was a good experience."
