Ceres High’s and El Capitan’s varsity girls soccer teams battled to a 1-1 draw on March 16 at Bulldog Stadium.

The Gauchos won the rematch, 2-1, on April 18 in Merced.

El Capitan scored the go-ahead goal with less than five minutes to play.

“They have a good team this year,” Bulldogs head coach Miguel Saldate said.

El Capitan (7-1-1, 22 points) took over sole possession of first place in the Western Athletic Conference standings.

Ceres High (6-2-1, 19 points) dropped to third place.

Crosstown-rival Central Valley (7-1-0, 21 points) had the second-best team in league as of Sunday.

El Capitan, Central Valley, Ceres High and Livingston (6-3-0, 18 points) are all battling for the conference’s three playoff berths.

 “The WAC is very competitive,” Saldate said. “I’m surprised because we should be doing better. It’s been a tough season. Some of the girls are frustrated.”

Bulldog Breanna Moreno scored against the Gauchos during second meeting.

Ceres High goalkeeper Angelmarie Coral made six saves.

Ceres High shut out Los Banos 4-0 on Wednesday at Bulldog Stadium.

Bulldog Mariah Trevino scored twice against the Tigers.

Karina Torrez collected one goal and one assist.

Miranda Wilds had one goal.

Dominique Koeurn chipped in with one assist.

Coral tallied two saves.

Ceres High made program history by placing first in the WAC last spring.

Livingston and Central Valley took second and third, respectively.

The Bulldogs’ final three opponents are Patterson (April 27), Central Valley (May 2) and Livingston (May 4).

“I’d be surprised if we didn’t make playoffs,” Saldate said. “It’s going to come down to our last game.”