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Quakes take first in group
Earthquakes FC Elite
The Ceres Earthquakes FC Elite under-18 girls competitive soccer team continued its run of success by posting a perfect 4-0 record at the Pleasanton RAGE College Showcase last week.

The Ceres Earthquakes FC Elite under-18 girls competitive soccer team lived up to its billing by taking first at the Pleasanton RAGE College Showcase this past week.

The Earthquakes climbed to No. 1 in the gotsoccer.com national rankings earlier this month.

“We fought hard to get where we are. We want to stay No. 1. It’s a really big accomplishment we’re all proud of. It’s cool to say we’re the best team in the nation and we’re from a small town.”
Miranda Larranaga

“There is added pressure,” center midfielder Miranda Larranaga stated. “We fought hard to get where we are. We want to stay No. 1. It’s a really big accomplishment we’re all proud of. It’s cool to say we’re the best team in the nation and we’re from a small town.”

“The girls are motivated,” head coach Miguel Larranaga said.

The Earthquakes won all four of their games en route to claiming the Super 2 Group championship. Ceres competed in the 19-and-under division.

 “That’s what we wanted to do,” coach Larranaga said. 

“We have such good chemistry and we’re able to connect and make good plays,” Miranda Larranaga said. 

Ceres topped the California Thorns Academy 3-1 on Sunday.

Jocelyn Lopez accounted for all three of the Earthquakes’ goals.

“They played a fantastic game today,” coach Larranaga said. “I loved watching them. Their passing was perfect.”

Ceres edged Palo Alto 1-0 on Saturday.

Miranda Larranaga scored once.

Ceres defeated San Marcos Revolution 2-1 on Friday.

Lopez tallied two goals.

Ceres beat Walnut Creek 4-2 on Friday.

Lopez had two goals.

Edith Larranaga and Jazzy Garcia added one goal each.

“We didn’t play our best the first three games but did enough to win,” coach Larranaga said. “You can’t make mistakes or else you’ll lose. You have to be focused on what you do.”

The Earthquakes’ roster features 18 players, including local standouts Jocelyn Lopez, Abigail Martinez, Jackie Sanchez, Citlaly Salinas, Mariah Trevino, Edith Larranaga, Miranda Larranaga, Siriana Gudino and Arianah Martinez.

Lopez, Martinez, Sanchez and Salinas are and/or were key members of Central Valley High School’s varsity girls soccer program, which claimed its fourth consecutive conference title during the 2018-19 school year.

Lopez, Martinez and Sanchez graduated in June.

Martinez, Gudino, Trevino, Edith Larranaga and Miranda Larranaga teamed up at Ceres High School, which secured its fifth straight Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth this past winter.

Trevino and Edith Larranaga also graduated.

“With this group of girls, we have one more tournament,” Miguel Larranaga said.  

Ceres will compete at the Surf Cup, July 27-29, in San Diego.

“This is our final time playing together,” Miranda Larranaga said. “It’s kind of sad. They’re my best friends I’ve grown up with my whole life.”

“The level of play will be 1,000 times better,” coach Larranaga said. “We’re playing academies, not clubs. It will be something different. It will be a good experience for the girls.”

The Earthquakes will face RSL-AZ Southern Arizona Soccer Club and Rebels Soccer Club of Southern California on Saturday.

Ceres will play Crossfire Premier of Washington on Sunday.

The Rebels won the Surf Cup title last season.

“This is one of the biggest tournaments,” Miranda Larranaga said. “There are amazing teams that are going to be there. I have confidence in our team. We’re very strong. We want to see how far we can go. I think we’ll put up a good fight.”

“Our goal is to win,” Miguel Larranaga said. “That’s our mindset.”