Vying for its first-ever trip to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs in program history, Central Valley High School's varsity girls soccer team dropped out of contention following a 1-2-1 finish to the Western Athletic Conference season.
The Hawks placed fourth in the WAC standings with a respectable 5-5-2 record (17 points.)
Central Catholic won the title (11-0-1, 34 points).
Livingston took second (10-2, 30 points).
Patterson, which sat in a tie for third place with Central Valley with four games to play, earned the WAC's third and final playoff berth. The Tigers posted a 7-3-2 record on their way to totaling 23 points.
"It would have been nice to make it," Hawks head coach Cyndi Meshach said. "I would have been so excited for them. They really wanted it."
Coach Meshach recognized 11 senior players during Central Valley's 3-1 WAC finale loss to Central Catholic on April 30 in Ceres, including Michelle Hernandez, Jasmine Martinez, Paola Leon, Alexandra Covarrubias, Ashley Barnes-Berrios, Vivian Valadez, Erykah Magana, Jacquline Vasquez, Vianney Orozco, Dayelle Cueto and Jocelyn Camarillo.
"I'm not terribly disappointed that they lost," Meshach said. "Regardless of the outcome, I felt like they gave it everything they had. We had a great season."
Junior Rocio Beltran, Central Valley's top scorer this year, prevented the shutout with a goal in the second half.
Beltran was slowed by a knee injury for most of the season.
"She did better the last three games," Meshach said.
Hawk sophomore Emely Amaya assisted.
Taylor Osnaya collected a game-high two goals for the Raiders.
Chloe Peepgrass had one goal.
Lauren Nicholson, Bianca Jauregui and Kendyl Hoy all dished out one assist.
Central Valley trailed 2-0 at intermission.
The Hawks made history this year by securing their first-ever, non-losing season in league play.
Central Valley finished 3-9 in 2012, 1-6-1 in 2011, 3-11-2 in 2010, 4-8-2 in 2009, 3-11 in 2008 and 2-12 in 2007.
"I'm very proud of what they've done," Meshach said. "They played their hearts out. They left everything they had on the field. We have a lot of strong players returning. The possibility of qualifying for playoffs next year is good."
