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CV, Ceres High varsity girls soccer programs elevate their expectations
Hawks, Dawgs vying for postseason berths
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Emely Amaya (11) will try to help Central Valley secure its first-ever playoff berth in varsity girls soccer this season.

Central Valley High School's varsity girls soccer team has never qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.

Ceres High made its lone postseason appearance in program history during the 1990s.

The Hawks and Bulldogs both expect to end years of frustration in 2015.

"Absolutely," Central Valley head coach Cyndi Meshach said. "This team has talent and drive. I believe CV and CHS will be in the playoffs this year."

"It's been a long time since we made playoffs," Ceres High leader Miguel Saldate said. "It would mean a lot. It's something we're shooting for. It's a realistic goal."

Central Valley's and Ceres High's rosters feature a mix of veterans and newcomers.

The Hawks lost six players to graduation, including Martha Gonzalez, Rocio Beltran, Andrea Alvarez, Carina Partida, Emily Curry and Mayra Duran.

Central Valley's top returners are Emely Amaya (Sr.), Celeste Acebes (Sr.), Daisy Ochoa (Sr.), Evelyn Andrade (Jr.) and Nicole Munoz (Jr.).

Hawk newcomers Blanca Espinoza (So.), Adriana Gomez (So.), Trinity Avila (Fr.), Mariana Garibay (Fr.), Emily Lopez (Fr.), Laiza Quintero (Fr.) and Melissa Sanchez (Fr.) will also be counted upon.

Amaya, Acebes, Andrade and Garibay were named team captains.

Emely, Trinity, Mariana, Emily and Laiza all play club soccer.

"It could be the greatest soccer team we've put on a field," Meshach said.

The Bulldogs lost four players to graduation: Victoria Andrade, Jacqueline Gonzalez, Arcelia Hermosillo and Giselle Madrigal.

Ceres High's top returners are Adilene Alberto (Sr.), Cristina Arreola (So.), Lisette Carretero (Sr.), Crystal Carrillo (Sr.), Dominique Koeurn (So.), Angelica Slater (Sr.) and Karina Torrez (Jr.).

Bulldogs newcomers Angelita Cerrillo (So.), Angelmarie Coral (Fr.), Noelia de Leon (Fr.), Jaden Dellafosse (So.), Breanna Moreno (So.) and Miranda Wilds (Fr.) will contribute as well.

Alberto, Carrillo, Slater and Torrez are team captains.

"We lost a lot of seniors," Saldate said. "We're working with a new group."

The top three teams in the Western Athletic Conference advance to the postseason.

Central Catholic, Livingston and Patterson were awarded berths in 2014.

Central Valley dropped out of playoff contention late last season following a 2-2 draw with Patterson.

The Hawks (5-5-2) and Bulldogs (4-6-2) placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in the WAC standings.

Central Valley tied Ceres High 2-2 and beat the Bulldogs 1-0 a year ago.

Central Valley fielded its first-ever varsity girls soccer team during the 2006-07 school year.

"It would be disappointing to not win league," Meshach said. "We have the talent, attitude and effort level. It's just a matter of putting it together. The influx of freshmen is the boost we needed to get it done."

"We should finish in the top three," Saldate said. "The girls understand what we want them to do. We want them to be more aggressive-take more shots."