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Dawgs fall in first round of D-III playoffs
CHS girls lose 2-0 to Ponderosa
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Sophomore goalie Siriana Gudino had 13 saves in Ceres Highs 2-0 loss at Ponderosa in the playoffs on Feb. 21. - photo by Courier file photo

Ceres High's varsity girls soccer team felt slighted by its inferior seeding for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs.

The Bulldogs were awarded the 12th seed despite beating three-time Western Athletic Conference champion Central Valley once and losing just twice during the regular season.

Motivated to make a deep run in the playoffs, Ceres High made a quick exit by falling 2-0 at fifth-seeded Ponderosa on Wednesday in Shingle Spring.

"Even though we lost, we still had a great season," head coach Miguel Saldate said.

The Bulldogs posted an 11-3-4 overall record and finished in second place in the Western Athletic Conference standings (7-1-2).

The Bruins improved to 12-4-4 on the year and placed third in the Capital Valley Conference (8-3-3).

"It was a fun season," Saldate said.

Ceres High sophomore goalkeeper Siriana Gudino had 13 saves against Ponderosa.

"If it wouldn't have been for her, the score would have been ugly," Saldate said. "She had quite a few saves. She's a great player."

The Bulldogs mustered just three shots on offense versus the Bruins.

"Nothing could have been done differently," Saldate said. "We played against a tough team. They had a lot of seniors."

Seniors Miranda Wilds, Erika Gutierrez, Angelmarie Coral, Kristen Rodriguez and Brianna Zamora suited up Ceres High for the final time this past week.

Wilds, Gutierrez, Coral, Rodriguez and Zamora will graduate this June.

"Losing girls is always sad," Saldate said.

The Bulldogs will vie for their fifth consecutive playoff appearance next winter.

Ceres High has yet to win a postseason game under Saldate's guidance.

The Bulldogs have an 0-4 record.

"We'll work very hard next year to accomplish that," he said. "We'll have another solid season."