Junior forward David Estrada broke a scoreless tie with a goal in the 57th minute, helping Ceres High's varsity boys soccer program beat Valley Oak League rival Oakdale 1-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.
"They outplayed us in the first half and we outplayed them in the second half," Bulldogs head coach Koeurn Phe said. "We were fortunate enough to win. They could have walked off that field with a 1-0 lead or draw."
Jesus Cervantes assisted on Estrada's key goal. Cervantes made a run down the right sideline after collecting a pass from Aron Mejia, beat one defender and sent a perfect cross into the box.
David scored on a short header 17 minutes into the second half and was immediately mobbed by his teammates.
"You can't draw up a better play than that," Phe said.
Ceres High threatened to score several times before Estrada, Cervantes and Mejia teamed up.
After watching his header sail over the cross bar, junior striker Luis Martinez put his hands over his face.
"Our execution wasn't as good as it could have been," Phe said. "We had a lot of opportunities."
Bulldog goalkeeper Kyle Cerny tallied 10 saves en route to posting his fifth shutout, including third in league play.
Manuel Villa, Eleazer Padilla, Eric Orozco and Ulises Lua contributed on defense.
"I have to give them credit," Phe said.
First-place Ceres High topped visiting Sonora 7-0 on Thursday to move to 8-2 overall and 5-0 in the VOL standings.
Martinez led the Bulldogs with two goals and two assists. Estrada scored twice and dished out an assist. Pablo Gomez had three assists and a goal. Mejia and Manuel Villa finished with one goal each.
"They outplayed us in the first half and we outplayed them in the second half," Bulldogs head coach Koeurn Phe said. "We were fortunate enough to win. They could have walked off that field with a 1-0 lead or draw."
Jesus Cervantes assisted on Estrada's key goal. Cervantes made a run down the right sideline after collecting a pass from Aron Mejia, beat one defender and sent a perfect cross into the box.
David scored on a short header 17 minutes into the second half and was immediately mobbed by his teammates.
"You can't draw up a better play than that," Phe said.
Ceres High threatened to score several times before Estrada, Cervantes and Mejia teamed up.
After watching his header sail over the cross bar, junior striker Luis Martinez put his hands over his face.
"Our execution wasn't as good as it could have been," Phe said. "We had a lot of opportunities."
Bulldog goalkeeper Kyle Cerny tallied 10 saves en route to posting his fifth shutout, including third in league play.
Manuel Villa, Eleazer Padilla, Eric Orozco and Ulises Lua contributed on defense.
"I have to give them credit," Phe said.
First-place Ceres High topped visiting Sonora 7-0 on Thursday to move to 8-2 overall and 5-0 in the VOL standings.
Martinez led the Bulldogs with two goals and two assists. Estrada scored twice and dished out an assist. Pablo Gomez had three assists and a goal. Mejia and Manuel Villa finished with one goal each.
