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CHS girls enjoy best-ever season start
• Bulldogs extend their unbeaten streak to seven games
Jackie Ruiz
Jackie Ruiz collected one goal and one assist during the Ceres High varsity girls soccer team’s 2-0 victory against Beyer in WAC play on Dec. 18 in Modesto.

Ceres High’s varsity girls soccer team remained unbeaten on the year after shutting out Beyer and Lathrop in Western Athletic Conference play last month.

“I’m not surprised,” said Danny Barragan, new head coach of the Bulldogs. “I knew coming into the season there was enough talent to have a good team. The chemistry is amazing. Everyone gets along. That’s part of what they have to do if they want to be successful.”

Ceres High improved to 7-0-0 overall and 3-0-0 in the WAC standings following its 2-0 victory over 2018-19 conference-champion Beyer on Dec. 18 at the Mary Grogam Community Park Soccer Complex.

The Bulldogs lost 2-0 and 4-1 to the Patriots last year.

“It feels good to beat them because they won league last year."
Coach Danny Barragan

“It feels good to beat them because they won league last year,” Barragan said. 

Ceres High’s Jackie Ruiz collected one goal and one assist versus Beyer.

Kalyani Hermosillo scored once.

Siriana Gudino tallied saves at goalkeeper.

Ceres High edged Lathrop 1-0 on Dec. 16 at CUSD Stadium.

The Bulldogs managed to beat the Spartans despite converting just one of 13 shot attempts.

“We had so many chances to score but didn’t finish,” Barragan said. “We struggled more than we should have.”

Ruiz tallied the game-winning goal off a free kick with less than two minutes to play.

She scored from 18 yards away as the ball sailed over the goalie’s outstretched arms.

 “Jackie’s shot under pressure is one of the best I’ve seen since I’ve coached high-school soccer,” Barragan said. “She’s accurate.”

The Bulldogs will try to secure their sixth straight playoff berth—first under Barragan’s guidance—and second conference title in program history this winter.

“I have of lot of confidence in the girls,” Barragan said. “They have a lot of confidence in themselves. I keep reminding them if we don’t keep doing certain things, we’re not going to accomplish our goals. They need to work hard, be disciplined and stay humble. There are still a lot of games to be played.”