Danny Barragan will have some big shoes to fill as new head coach of Ceres High School’s varsity girls soccer program.

Barragan takes over for Miguel Saldate, who led the Bulldogs to 60 wins, one conference title and five playoff appearances during his six-year tenure. Ceres High also secured its first postseason victory.

“He (Saldate) turned the program around,” Barragan said. “Last year, they won their first playoff game. I want to help them accomplish more.”

Barragan led Ceres High’s boys soccer team to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III title this past winter. The Bulldogs compiled a program-best 20-2-4 overall record and advanced to the Northern California Regional Championship Tournament for the first time.

“I want the girls to experience the same thing the boys experienced,” he said. “That’s the expectation.”

Ceres High’s top returners are Kalyani Hermosillo (Sr.), Jacqueline Ruiz (Jr.), Siriana Gudino (Sr.), Adela Covarrubias (So.) and Arianah Martinez.

The Bulldogs’ top newcomers are Miranda Larranaga (Sr.), Aaliyah Ruiz (Jr.), Kristina Corbin (Fr.) and Natalie Corbin (Fr.).

Hermosillo was selected to the WAC First Team her junior year.

She collected eight goals and five assists.

Gudino, Ruiz and Covarrubias all received second-team honors.

Gudino totaled 67 saves at goalkeeper.

Ruiz tripled her goal total during her second season with the Bulldogs. 

She led Ceres High with 18 goals in 25 games.

She ranked second on the team in assists with eight.

Ruiz tallied just six goals and two assists as a freshman.

Martinez had two goals and four assists.

Larranaga suited up for the Bulldogs her sophomore and freshman years.

Ceres High managed to extend its streak of consecutive playoff appearances to five seasons this past winter despite competing with a thin roster for most of the year.

The Bulldogs finished in the top eight in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs, posted a 15-8-2 overall record and placed second in the WAC standings (10-3-1).

Ceres High secured its first playoff win in program history with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Antelope.

The Bulldogs lost in the opening round of the playoffs the previous four years.

“Last year, they had a lot of injuries and they still managed to have a great season,” Barragan said. “I want them to have their best season. That’s the goal. The talent is there.”