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Hawks place third in WAC standings
CV qualifies for playoffs in girls soccer
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Central Valley's Melissa Sanchez (18) collides with Ceres High's Miranda Wilds during last week's crosstown game. The third-place Hawks and Western Athletic Conference-champion Bulldogs tied 0-0 on April 27. Both teams qualified for the playoffs. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Central Valley High School’s varsity girls soccer squad collected one win and one tie during the final week of the Western Athletic Conference season.

The top three teams in the WAC qualified for the playoffs, including Ceres High (9-1-2, 29 points), Livingston (8-3-1, 25 points) and Central Valley (8-3-1, 25 points).

“I absolutely believe we have the best talent in the league,” Hawks head coach Cyndi Meshach said. “We’re just not mentally strong.”

Central Valley shut out host Los Banos 8-0 on Wednesday.

The Hawks opted to use an eight-player lineup during the second half.

Central Valley led 4-0 at the break.

“We didn’t want to run up the score,” Meshach said. “There’s no joy in massacring a team. We also wanted to keep the injuries to a minimum.”

Hawk freshman Laiza Quintero tallied two goals and one assist versus the Tigers.

Emely Amaya collected one goal and three assists.

Blanca Espinoza, Celeste Acebes, Evelyn Andrade and Trinity Avila all contributed one goal.

Jacqueline Martinez and Daisy Ochoa both dished out one assist.

Emely Lopez made two saves.

“Everybody got to play,” Meshach said. “That was nice.”

Central Valley tied WAC-champion Ceres High 0-0 on April 27 at Bulldog Stadium.

 “We’re a different team now,” Meshach said.

The Hawks lost 5-1 and 3-0 to the Bulldogs earlier this season.

 “We played well,” Meshach said. “The girls really wanted to win. It just wasn’t our day. We couldn’t get the ball in the goal. We had so many opportunities.”

Central Valley had high hopes for the 2015 campaign.

The Hawks made history by qualifying for the playoffs for the first time.

“It’s not something I really think about,” Meshach said. “The girls are thrilled. The buzz is all over school. Everybody is talking about it.”

The Hawks secured the WAC’s third berth for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs.

Sixteenth-seeded Central Valley will face No. 1 East Union (17-0) of the Valley Oak League in the first round.

“I’m excited,” Meshach said. “We got playoffs coming up. We need to work harder. I would like for them to underestimate us. They’re high-school kids. It could happen. We want to make history.”