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CHS boys, girls fall in first round of water polo section playoffs
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Ceres High School's varsity boys water polo team captured the Western Athletic Conference championship.

Oakmont placed third in the Capital Valley Conference.

The Bulldogs lost 16-7 to the Vikings in the opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-II playoffs on Thursday at Woodcreek High School.

"We were the higher seed but we were a significant underdog," Ceres High head coach Tracy Bull said. "Oakmont comes from a conference that wins section titles. That elevates your level of play."

Sophomore southpaw Zachary Jones tallied a team-high three goals for the Bulldogs.

Junior Terry Brogdon and senior Mario Gonzalez both scored once.

Sophomore backup goalie Sean Carr totaled 10 blocks while filling in for Anthony Vasquez. Vasquez, the best goalie in the WAC, was ruled ineligible during the final week of the regular season.

"Sean did a great job," Bull said. "He communicated well with the guys."

Ceres High trailed 2-0 at the end of the first period.

"We were pretty excited," Bull said. "We had a good scouting report. We knew what we had to do. Ultimately, the better team won."

The Vikings increased their lead to 7-0 before Gonzalez accounted for the Bulldogs' first goal with 2:01 left in the second period.

Ceres High trailed 9-2 at halftime and 12-4 heading into the final period.

"We didn't get back on defense," Bull said. "We were just overwhelmed. They were physical and fast. It was a little bit of an eye opener. Overall, it was a great experience for our boys. It's never a shame to lose to a better team. We're going to be back next year."

Ceres High Principal Linda Stubbs and Bulldog Athletic Director Shawna Nunes watched the playoff match.

The Bulldogs experienced a major turnaround in 2012.

A year removed from struggling to a 4-10 finish in the Valley Foothill League, Ceres High made history by winning its first league title since 2004.

The Bulldogs last participated in the playoffs in 2010.

"Why can't Ceres be the best team in league every year?" Bull asked. "We should be able to do that."

Ceres High School's varsity girls team participated in the playoffs for the first time in program history last week.

The Western Athletic Conference runner-up Bulldogs lost 25-7 to Metropolitan Conference champion McClatchy on Saturday at Whitney High School.

Haley Fisicaro, Ceres High's best player, scored a team-high three goals.

Jordan Pata had two goals.

Samantha Le and Emily Chapman both tallied one goal.

Chapman made a shot from halfcourt.