Central Valley’s varsity boys soccer team welcomed the challenge of competing against Patterson.

The Hawks leapfrogged the Tigers in the Central California Conference standings with a 2-0 win on Thursday in Ceres.

Central Valley moved to 12-3-3 overall and into first place in the CCC standings (4-1-2, 14 points).

Patterson dropped to 9-3-1 and into second place (4-2-1, 13 points).

“We needed this win,” Hawks’ junior midfielder Rigoberto Trujillo said. “These points are really crucial. We knew we were the better team. We showed it out there.”

Trujillo and Central Valley teammate Leo Giovanni Ayala both scored once against Patterson.

Sebastian Castillo collected one assist.

Erick Martinez-Stucchi totaled eight saves at goalkeeper.

Trujillo’s goal, which came from 10 yards away in the opening half, proved to be the game-winner.

Castillo delivered the pass.

“We were pressuring really hard,” Trujillo said. “Thankfully, it (the ball) went in.” 

Ayala added an insurance goal less than two minutes into the second half.

He scored from close-range.

Central Valley beat Patterson despite competing shorthanded

Defenders Marcos Covarrubias and Heriberto Paz were sidelined with injuries.

Francisco Ramos and Jorge Iniguez started in their place.

“We were really focused,” Trujillo said. “We were working really hard.”

“Everyone was at practice,” head coach Omar Leon said. “That really made a difference.”

“Obviously, they’re a good team,” Trujillo added. “A big goal we had was to shut them out. We had the right level of intensity.”

The Hawks blanked the Tigers for the second time this season.

Central Valley won the first meeting, 1-0.

The Hawks are striving to claim their second consecutive CCC championship this winter.  “We know we have a good team,” Trujillo said. “We just have to show it. We have to have the right mindset. We have to stay focused.”