Ceres High's varsity boys soccer team won twice and kept its perfect record in Western Athletic Conference play intact last week.

The Bulldogs improved to 8-2 overall and 4-0 in the WAC after defeating Patterson and Pacheco.

First-place Ceres High grabbed a three-point lead over crosstown-rival/three-time WAC champion Central Valley (15-1-0, 3-0) in the league standings.

Ceres High knocked off 2012 WAC co-champion Patterson 2-1 on Thursday at Patterson Community Stadium.

"The kids are very excited," Bulldogs head coach Javier Mercado said. "Patterson's a tough team. We haven't been able to beat them the past couple seasons."

Adrian Espinoza and Joel Bhatti both scored for Ceres High, which battled back from a 1-0 halftime deficit.

Espinoza and Bhatti tallied goals in the 65th and 74th minutes, respectively.

Bulldog goalkeeper Nicolas Martinez made seven saves.

"I was expecting a close game," Mercado said. "I thought it would be a one-goal differential. We took control in the second half. We stopped playing kickball and moved the ball on the ground. It's nice to win a close game. It gives the guys more confidence."

Ceres High routed Pacheco 6-2 on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at Bulldog Stadium.

Tomas Rocha led the way with two goals.

Bhatti and Cristian Cabrales both contributed one goal and one assist.

Adrian Espinoza and Cesar Espinoza tallied one goal each.

Cris Torres and Moises Rocha chipped in with one assist apiece.

Martinez had 10 saves.

Winning streak extended
Central Valley High School's varsity boys soccer team has reeled off nine straight wins since losing 3-2 to Pitman in preseason play on Sept 5.

The visiting Hawks dominated the Livingston Wolves, 8-0, on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

"We played great as a team," head coach Omar Leon said.

Ozzie Ramos scored four goals and dished out two assists against Livingston.

Omar Orozco collected two goals and two assists.

Anthony Calvo tallied one goal and two assists.

Saul Cuevas scored once.

Hawk goalkeeper Alex Vazquez had two saves.

"Ozzie's always consistent," Leon said. "He's the brain of the team."

Crosstown Showdown
Central Valley will play host to Ceres High this Thursday at 4 p.m.

The Hawks earned 4-0 and 4-1 victories versus the Bulldogs last season.

Central Valley and Ceres High placed first and third, respectively, in the WAC.

"The kids talk about the rivalry," Leon said. "It should be a very competitive game. They're having a really good season. We need to stay focused."

"Central Valley is still the favorite until somebody knocks them out," Mercado said. "They have a lot of talent. They have the best team around here. We'll have to play a perfect game all the way around to beat them."

The Hawks and Bulldogs had a combined record of 23-3-0 as of Monday.

"We're doing a wonderful job representing the community," Leon said.