Central Valley's varsity girls soccer team had a memorable showing while participating in the Harold S. Young Tournament for the first time last week at Buchanan High School in Clovis.

The Hawks compiled a perfect 4-0 record en route to finishing in first place.

"We're the first team from outside that area to win the tournament," head coach Miguel Larranaga said. "I'm very proud of the girls. They played very hard."

Tied at 0-0 at the end of regulation, Central Valley topped Atascadero 3-1 in a penalty-kick shootout during the finals Saturday afternoon.

"The whole week, we practiced PKs," Larranaga said. "We were prepared."

Central Valley's Jocelyn Rodriguez, Jocelyn Lopez and Abigail Martinez converted penalty kicks against Atascadero.

Atascadero missed three PKs after Hawk goalkeeper Emely Lopez stopped its first attempt.

"When you block a penalty kick, you put a lot of pressure on the other team," Larranaga said. "She (Lopez) was our hero."

The Hawks also collected victories against Central (3-1), Frontier (3-1 penalty kicks) and Independence (2-0) at the Buchanan event.
"It's a great way to start the season," Larranaga said.

Central Valley will play at Turlock tonight.

The non-league game will get underway at 6.

CV boys place second
Central Valley's varsity boys soccer team had to settle for runner-up honors while competing in the Champions Group at the Buchanan Tournament this past week.

"It's a good result considering the quality of teams that go to the tournament and compete," head coach Omar Leon said. "It's by far the best tournament we've ever played in. It was a positive experience."

The Hawks amassed a 3-1-1 record.

Central Valley lost 3-0 to Bellarmine College Prep (San Jose) in the finals on Saturday.

"It was a competitive game," Leon said. "We created seven scoring opportunities."

Central Valley defeated Centennial 4-2 on penalty kicks in the semifinals Saturday morning.

The two teams tied 2-2 in regulation.

Flores, Yepez, Joel Arellano, Agustin Gutierrez, Victor Torres and Jonathan Garcia accounted for the Hawks' goals.

Hawk goalkeeper Mauricio Perez made three saves and blocked two PKs.

Central Valley posted a 3-2 win over Reedley and tied Central 0-0 on Friday.

Flores led the Hawks in scoring with two goals.

Yepez chipped in with one goal and one assist.

Axel Bautista dished out one assist.

Perez totaled 16 blocks.

The Hawks made their first-ever appearance in the Buchanan tourney. "Playing at that level is very demanding," Leon said. "We need to get exposed to that type of competition. It will definitely prepare us for playoffs."

Central Valley will host Merced today and travel to Tracy to play in the East Union Tournament on Friday and Saturday.