Ceres High's varsity boys water polo team kept its playoff aspirations alive this past week thanks to a 1-1 showing.

The Bulldogs took over sole possession of second place in the Western Athletic Conference despite being edged out, 7-5, by the unbeaten Wolves of Livingston on Wednesday in Ceres.

Ceres High (4-3) had a one-game lead over third-place Los Banos (3-4) in the conference standings as of Monday morning.

First-place Livingston has won all seven of its matches this year.

The top two teams in the WAC qualify for the playoffs.

"That's what we've been working for all year long," Bulldogs head coach Bill Campbell said.
Ceres High goalkeeper Caleb Cannella totaled 13 saves against the Wolves.

Caleb Bishop, Tristan Freitas-Scott, David Johnson, Logan Kier and Ethan Letras led the Bulldogs in scoring with one goal apiece.

"It was a great game," Campbell said. "We played really well."

The host Bulldogs held on for a 12-9 win against the winless Panthers of Pacheco on Oct. 17.

"Pacheco is very competitive," Campbell said. "Most of their games this year have been close."

Letras poured in a team-high five goals.

Bishop and Kier both tallied two goals.

Johnson, Gary Dodd and Nicholas Webb all scored once.
Cannella had 10 blocks.

The Bulldogs accounted for six of the game's first nine goals.

Ceres High and Pacheco each tallied six goals during the second half.

"This is the first time we've led from start to finish," Campbell said. "We didn't have to come from behind."