Ceres High’s girls soccer team jumped two spots in the Western Athletic Conference standings after winning a pair of games this past week.
Central Valley lost ground in the Central California Conference following back-to-back setbacks.
“The whole team has been doing amazing,” said Bulldogs’ Coach Rudy Jimenez. “Teamwork has been a big factor in us winning.”
“Now, we’re in danger of not making playoffs,” Hawks’ leader Miguel Larranaga said. “We have to win the rest of the games. That’s what we have to do.”
Ceres High climbed from eighth to sixth in the WAC with a 3-2 win at Lathrop on Jan. 19.
The Bulldogs improved to 7-8-1 overall and 3-4-1 in league.
“I know what these girls can do,” said Jimenez. “It’s a matter of them putting it together as a team. Communication is key. I truly believe we’ll be in a better position as far as place (at the end of the regular season). We have a good shot at it (playoffs).”
Marissa Renteria led the Bulldogs with one goal and one assist.
A standout basketball and flag football player, Renteria is making a name for herself in soccer.
She’s had three hat tricks this season.
“Not to take anything away from the other girls, but she brings a new light to the team,” Jimenez said. “Every time she goes out there, she performs. She’s dominant and can finish. She’s a very, well-rounded athlete.”
Eva Montesdeoca and Mariah Zamora both scored once.
Arianna Diaz dished out one assist.
Lily Blevins totaled 16 saves while being slowed by an ankle injury.
Backup Ava Montesdeoca made five saves.
“She (Blevins) toughed it out,” said Jimenez.
Lathrop shut out Ceres 5-0 on Dec. 15.
The Bulldogs competed at full-strength during the second meeting.
“All of my starters were there this time,” Jimenez said.
Ceres High routed Grace Davis 6-1 on Wednesday at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.
Marissa Renteria led the Bulldogs with four goals.
“She’s a smart kid,” Jimenez said. “She knows the game very well. It’s not just her. It takes a whole team to win.”
Diaz scored twice.
Blevins totaled 17 saves.
“She’s been doing great back there,” Jimenez said.
Ceres High has won its last three games.
“I’m proud of all of them,” Jimenez said. “It’s been a big turnaround. We’re moving in the right direction. We had a rough start in the beginning. They’re starting to communicate and pass better. They’re having fun.”
Golden Valley ended Central Valley’s six-game unbeaten streak with a 4-1 victory on Jan. 16 in Merced.
The Hawks won the first meeting 1-0 on Dec. 14.
“We didn’t play well as a team,” said Larranaga. “We just made a lot of mistakes. They played a very good game.”
Freshman Aaralyn Jauregui accounted for Central Valley’s lone goal.
She’s collected 21 goals and seven assists this season.
Larranaga coached Jauregui for four years at the club level with Ceres Earthquake FC.
“The talent level she has is amazing,” he said. “She’s such a good player. She’s doing a great job.”
Daniela Rodriguez tallied one assist versus Golden Valley.
Hawk goalkeeper Magnolia Tavison made five saves.
Central Valley lost 1-0 at El Capitan on Jan. 18.
The Hawks dropped to 8-10-1 on the season and into fourth place in the CCC standings (4-3-1).
“I’m very disappointed with the result,” Larranaga said. “We had so many opportunities to score in the final 20-30 minutes. The only goal they scored was the only shot they had on goal the whole game. They deserved to win.”
Central Valley beat El Capitan 2-1 earlier this season but had to forfeit the game along with six other wins due to a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rules infraction.
The CIF has a bylaw in place that prevents student athletes from playing on a high school team and a club team at the same time.
“The rules apply to everybody,” Larranaga said. “As soon as you start high school, you’re not allowed to play 11-versus-11 club soccer. Somebody reported it. We didn’t do it on purpose.”
