Ceres High’s boys soccer team turned in a respectable showing while competing in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the first time since 2022-23 this past week.
The 14th-seeded Bulldogs showed flashes of competitiveness during their 2-1 loss to the third-seeded Christian Brothers Falcons in the Division-III bracket on Feb. 14 in Sacramento.
“It was a tough team to play,” Ceres High head coach Gilbert Zamora said. “They’re very physical and athletic. We had our chances.”
The Bulldogs compiled an 8-9-5 overall record and finished in fifth place in the Western Athletic Conference standings with a 6-5-3 mark.
The Falcons finished 11-4-5 and second in the Capital Valley Conference (8-1-3).
Sixth-seeded Roseville ended Christian Brothers’ season with a 3-1 penalty-kick shootout victory in the quarterfinals on Feb. 17.
“We had a great year,” Zamora said. “We had more talent compared to previous seasons. We were really focused. As a team, we made adjustments and it worked. I had confidence we could beat any team. Having Ozzie Ramos as an assistant coach, made a big difference.”
Mario Vargas tallied Ceres High’s lone goal versus Christian Brothers.
Fernando Galvan collected the assist.
Bulldog goalkeeper Johan Lopez made two saves.
“Our defense did really well,” Zamora said.
The Falcons held a slim 1-0 lead at intermission.
Christian Brothers broke a scoreless tie just before halftime.
The Falcons netted a second goal in the 74th minute.
Down 2-0, Vargas cut the deficit to one goal in the 78th minute.
“We had a game plan and it almost worked,” Zamora said.
Ramos watched three of Christian Brothers’ regular-season games online leading up to the playoff matchup.
“Offensively, they’re very good,” Zamora said. “We played a little more defensive. We weren’t leaving open spaces and big gaps. We pressed them.”
Ceres High competed shorthanded against Christian Brothers as brothers Leo and Jesus Baez did not make the trip to Sacramento for unspecified reasons.
Leo, a senior forward, and Jesus, a junior defender, are both starters.
Leo led the Bulldogs in scoring this year with 20 goals.
“I had to make last-minute adjustments,” Zamora said. “If we had all of our players, it would have been different. Offensively, we would have been better. We have forwards that are good. Leo makes a big difference.”
Ceres High accomplished one of its main goals this winter.
The Bulldogs returned to the playoffs following a two-year absence.
“Having 24 players, it’s competition,” Zamora said. They all work harder.”
The Bulldogs will lose 14 players to graduation.
“They brought a lot of discipline to the team,” Zamora said. “They were so mature.”
Ceres High could return as many as seven starters in 2026-27.
“I’m excited for next year,” Zamora said. “We’re going to be a stronger team because of experience. A lot of the younger players are still going to be here.”
