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Backyard clash in soccer
• Crosstown-rivals Central Valley, Ceres High tie 2-2 in boys soccer
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Pablo Duran (16) and Ceres High’s varsity boys soccer team battled to a 2-2 tie against Gerardo Flores and crosstown-rival Central Valley last Friday. - photo by Dale Butler

Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s varsity boys soccer teams battled for 80 minutes this past week.

The visiting Bulldogs salvaged a 2-2 tie with the Hawks in non-conference play Friday evening.

“I’m pleased,” Ceres High head coach Danny Barragan said. “I knew it was going to be competitive. It’s a rivalry game.”

“Even though we didn’t win, I was happy with the overall performance of the team. It was a very intense game.”
Central Valley Coach Omar Leon

“Even though we didn’t win, I was happy with the overall performance of the team,” Central Valley coach Omar Leon said. “It was a very intense game.”

The Hawks improved to 3-2-2 overall.

The Bulldogs remained unbeaten on the year at 4-0-1. 

Ceres High has already matched its win total from a season ago.

“They have a very strong team,” Leon said. “They’re still undefeated.”

Hawk Jesus Yepez scored twice against the Bulldogs.

Isaac Juarez collected two assists.

Erick Martinez tallied 10 saves.

Isa Medina led Ceres High with one goal and one assist.

Andres Madriz scored once.

Leo Trujillo had 12 saves.

The two teams combined to score four goals in the first half.

The Bulldogs stunned the Hawks in the opening minutes of the game.

Madriz finished from close-range off a pass from Medina.

Yepez scored back-to-back goals to give Central Valley a 2-0 lead.

Medina tallied the tying goal in the 38th minute.

The Hawks generated ample scoring chances in the second half.

Leon thought his team should have been awarded a penalty kick when Yepez was tackled from behind by a Bulldog defender.

“We had good opportunities but just couldn’t finish,” Leon said. “We should have had at least one more goal.”

No longer in the same league due to the Sac-Joaquin Section’s realignment plan, Ceres High and Central Valley opted to schedule a non-conference match this season.

“League or not, it’s a good game to play and for people to come and watch,” Barragan said. “It’s a rivalry. We should continue it.”

“It’s always fun to play against Ceres,” Leon said. “There are a lot of fans, students and teachers that come out here to support the kids. It’s extra motivation to put up a good performance.”

Ceres High will begin WAC play today with a home game against Lathrop. The contest will get underway at 5:30 p.m.

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Bulldog Ivan Arita contributed on defense during last week’s non-conference matchup with the Hawks. - photo by Dale Butler