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Hawks, Bulldogs win big in soccer
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Ceres High's varsity boys soccer team responded with a bunch of goals after falling behind in the opening minute of its Valley Oak League contest with visiting Sonora.

The Bulldogs scored a half-dozen times on their way to a 6-1 victory over the Wildcats last Thursday at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.

"We came out flat-footed," Ceres High head coach Koeurn Phe said. "That's not a characteristic of my team."

Five different players scored for the Bulldogs, who moved to 7-2-1 in the VOL standings. Sonora dropped to 1-7-1 in conference play.

David Estrada, the reigning VOL MVP, led Ceres High's offensive attack with a pair of goals.

Pedro Gomez dished out three assists and scored once.

Luis Martinez, Luis Corona and Marcos Rochas contributed one goal each.

"This year, we're getting more contributions from the midfield," Phe said. "We have a more balanced team now."

The Bulldogs won last week despite struggling in the early going.

"I wasn't concerned when Sonora scored because there was a lot of game left,"said Phe, whose team built a 3-1 lead in the first half. "I know what my guys are capable of. They stayed focused and continued to play. They couldn't stop us after that."

Ceres High goalkeeper Kyle Cerny totaled 12 saves.

Central Valley cruises

Defensive standout Billy Chanthavong played forward for the first time for Central Valley High School's varsity boys soccer team last week.

The strong-footed, 5-foot-4, 120-pound speedster registered a hat track in the Hawks' 8-0 rout of Lathrop in Valley Oak League play on Thursday in Ceres.

"He's the type of player who can play anywhere," Central Valley head coach Omar Leon said. "It's a genetic thing. He just has it in him."

Added Billy: "I've been playing defense my whole life. It was fun trying something new."

Leon shuffled his lineup because several key players had to sit out due to yellow-card accumulation and illness, including Daniel Ochoa, Larry Hernandez and Nestor Berumen.

The Hawks were also heavy favorites against the winless Spartans (0-10)

"In these types of games, you can afford to do that," Leon said.

Chanthavong played defender for the opening 10 minutes.

"My uncle tried putting me at forward a couple of times when I was younger but I didn't have the size," Chanthavong said. "I was getting pushed around. I feel more comfortable playing in the back."

"I expected him to score, but not three times," Leon said.

Bobby Chanthavong, Billy's twin brother, had a standout game as well. He tallied one goal and dished out two assists. Jose Ramirez scored twice and assisted on two goals. Antonio Cabrera collected two goals and one assist.

First-place Central Valley improved to 8-0-2 in the VOL standings.

The Chanthavong brothers will continue to play major roles in the Hawks' quest for another conference title.

Billy and Bobby spent their freshman year at Enochs High School.

"We're blessed we were able to get three years out of them," Leon said.