Central Valley High School's varsity boys soccer team began its Valley Oak League title defense last week with two wins and a tie.
The Hawks overcame a slow start and pulled away for a 7-2 victory over Weston Ranch on Thursday in Ceres.
"Last year, we didn't have any difficulty beating them," Central Valley midfielder Jose Ramirez said. "We were expecting the same old story this season. When they tied it, that motivated us. It was a reality check."
Ramirez finished the contest with one goal and three assists.
Daniel Ochoa collected two goals and a pair of assists.
Antonio Cabrera scored twice.
Nestor Berumen and Leonardo Soto contributed one goal apiece.
Larry Hernandez had one assist.
The Cougars kept the game close during the opening 20 mintues of play. Tied at 1-all, the Hawks scored four unanswered goals on their way to building a 5-1 lead before the end of the first half. Cabrera, Berumen, Ochoa and Ramirez all found the back of the net.
Soto and Cabrera accounted for Central Valley's second-half goals.
Visiting Central Valley routed Lathrop's first-year program 10-1 on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Ramirez led the Hawks with three goals and four assists.
Cabrera had three goals and one assist.
Jose Pacheco added two goals.
Ochoa and Alex Hernandez both scored once.
Central Valley had to settle for a disappointing 2-2 tie with Sierra on Monday, Sept. 14.
Ochoa tallied one goal and one assist for the Hawks, who squandered a two-goal lead. Cabrera scored once.
"We got to work better as a team," Ramirez said. "That's for sure. We weren't focused."
The Hawks have a strong desire to repeat as VOL champs. That will be no easy task because just about every team has gotten better.
"We still want to prove we are the best," Ramirez said. "Last season, we didn't get lucky. We earned it. We have to work twice as hard to stay on top."
Dawgs 3, Lancers 1
Pedro Gomez, Victor Corona, Rafael Mercado and Marcos Rochas starred on defense in Ceres High's triumph over East Union Monday night at Bulldog Stadium.
"They did a great job," head coach Koeurn Phe said.
David Estrada, Luis Martinez and Luis Corona had one goal each for the Bulldogs, who moved to 3-1 in VOL standings.
The Hawks overcame a slow start and pulled away for a 7-2 victory over Weston Ranch on Thursday in Ceres.
"Last year, we didn't have any difficulty beating them," Central Valley midfielder Jose Ramirez said. "We were expecting the same old story this season. When they tied it, that motivated us. It was a reality check."
Ramirez finished the contest with one goal and three assists.
Daniel Ochoa collected two goals and a pair of assists.
Antonio Cabrera scored twice.
Nestor Berumen and Leonardo Soto contributed one goal apiece.
Larry Hernandez had one assist.
The Cougars kept the game close during the opening 20 mintues of play. Tied at 1-all, the Hawks scored four unanswered goals on their way to building a 5-1 lead before the end of the first half. Cabrera, Berumen, Ochoa and Ramirez all found the back of the net.
Soto and Cabrera accounted for Central Valley's second-half goals.
Visiting Central Valley routed Lathrop's first-year program 10-1 on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Ramirez led the Hawks with three goals and four assists.
Cabrera had three goals and one assist.
Jose Pacheco added two goals.
Ochoa and Alex Hernandez both scored once.
Central Valley had to settle for a disappointing 2-2 tie with Sierra on Monday, Sept. 14.
Ochoa tallied one goal and one assist for the Hawks, who squandered a two-goal lead. Cabrera scored once.
"We got to work better as a team," Ramirez said. "That's for sure. We weren't focused."
The Hawks have a strong desire to repeat as VOL champs. That will be no easy task because just about every team has gotten better.
"We still want to prove we are the best," Ramirez said. "Last season, we didn't get lucky. We earned it. We have to work twice as hard to stay on top."
Dawgs 3, Lancers 1
Pedro Gomez, Victor Corona, Rafael Mercado and Marcos Rochas starred on defense in Ceres High's triumph over East Union Monday night at Bulldog Stadium.
"They did a great job," head coach Koeurn Phe said.
David Estrada, Luis Martinez and Luis Corona had one goal each for the Bulldogs, who moved to 3-1 in VOL standings.
