The Central Valley and Ceres high school varsity boys soccer teams faced off for the first time this season on Tuesday, Oct. 2 at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.
Playing in front of a large crowd, the Hawks overcame a sluggish start and defeated the Bulldogs 4-1 in Valley Oak League action.
"Every win means a lot, but beating Ceres makes it a little more satisfying," Central Valley senior Abimael Galindo said.
Jose Haro scored twice for the Hawks (3-3-1). Galindo had one goal and an assist. Francisco Aguirre tallied a goal. Juan Pacheco, Pedro Gomez and Marco Rodriguez all contributed an assist.
Luis Martinez scored for Ceres (4-4). David Estrada assisted.
The Hawks responded with four unanswered goals after falling behind 1-0 eight minutes into the contest, including three after intermission.
"It was a little wakeup call," Galindo said when asked about his team's mindset following the Bulldogs' quick score.
Added Haro: "We're a second-half team."
Abimael scored the equalizer with 18 minutes remaining in the first half. Pacheco delivered the pass.
Haro put Central Valley ahead 3-1 with goals in the 48th and 60th minutes. Jose scored from 9 yards out and on a close-range header.
"Today's game was dedicated to Abimael's grandfather," Haro said.
"It (beating Ceres) just makes it a little easier to deal with," said Galindo, whose grandpa passed away on Oct. 1 in the afternoon.
Aguirre accounted for the Hawks' final goal when he blasted a Rodriguez header into the back of the net in the 84th minute.
Aron Mejia, Ceres High's co-captain/sweeper, didn't play against Central Valley. He attended his uncle's funeral.
"We have more confidence when he's back there," Estrada said. "He has more experience playing defense than everybody else on the team."
The Hawks hold a 3-0 record over Ceres in the all-time series. Last season's finale featured a host of fouls, including five yellow cards and two ejections.
Playing in front of a large crowd, the Hawks overcame a sluggish start and defeated the Bulldogs 4-1 in Valley Oak League action.
"Every win means a lot, but beating Ceres makes it a little more satisfying," Central Valley senior Abimael Galindo said.
Jose Haro scored twice for the Hawks (3-3-1). Galindo had one goal and an assist. Francisco Aguirre tallied a goal. Juan Pacheco, Pedro Gomez and Marco Rodriguez all contributed an assist.
Luis Martinez scored for Ceres (4-4). David Estrada assisted.
The Hawks responded with four unanswered goals after falling behind 1-0 eight minutes into the contest, including three after intermission.
"It was a little wakeup call," Galindo said when asked about his team's mindset following the Bulldogs' quick score.
Added Haro: "We're a second-half team."
Abimael scored the equalizer with 18 minutes remaining in the first half. Pacheco delivered the pass.
Haro put Central Valley ahead 3-1 with goals in the 48th and 60th minutes. Jose scored from 9 yards out and on a close-range header.
"Today's game was dedicated to Abimael's grandfather," Haro said.
"It (beating Ceres) just makes it a little easier to deal with," said Galindo, whose grandpa passed away on Oct. 1 in the afternoon.
Aguirre accounted for the Hawks' final goal when he blasted a Rodriguez header into the back of the net in the 84th minute.
Aron Mejia, Ceres High's co-captain/sweeper, didn't play against Central Valley. He attended his uncle's funeral.
"We have more confidence when he's back there," Estrada said. "He has more experience playing defense than everybody else on the team."
The Hawks hold a 3-0 record over Ceres in the all-time series. Last season's finale featured a host of fouls, including five yellow cards and two ejections.
