Ceres High's varsity girls soccer program has been a model of consistency since Miguel Saldate took over as head coach in 2014-15

The Bulldogs compiled a 34-17-6 overall record (28-8-3 Western Athletic Conference), claimed one league title and participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs every season during Saldate's tenure.

Expectations remain high for this year's team, which is moving forward without Dominique Koeurn, Breanna Moreno and Cristina Arreola.

Koeurn, Moreno and Arreola, Ceres High's captains in 2017, were lost to graduation.

Dominique was named co-WAC Defensive Player of the Year.

"I'd be surprised if we didn't make playoffs," Saldate said. "We got the talent. We have good chemistry."

Bulldog returnees Mariah Trevino (junior utility), Siriana Gudino (sophomore goalkeeper), Karina Estrada (junior stopper), Miranda Larranaga (sophomore midfielder), Angelmarie Coral (senior goalkeeper), Erika Gutierrez (senior midfielder), Miranda Wilds (senior forward), Edith Larranaga (junior midfielder) and Joanna Torrez (sophomore wing/defender) will be counted upon heavily.

Ceres High's top newcomers are Kalyani Hermosillo (sophomore defender), Aaliyah Ruiz (freshman midfielder) and Jacqueline Ruiz (freshman forward).

"It's the same as every year," Saldate said. "We lose some players. We gain players. Our goal is to make playoffs again."

Trevino and Gudino were both selected to the WAC First Team a season ago.

Gudino split playing time with Coral. Siriana allowed 15 goals and totaled 78 saves.

Trevino tallied 10 goals and two assists on the year.

Mariah scored the winning goal during Ceres High's 1-0 victory over crosstown-rival/back-to-back WAC-champion Central Valley.

Estrada and Miranda Larranaga earned second-team all-league honors.

The 2017 Bulldogs compiled a 12-7-3 overall record, qualified for the playoffs for the third year in a row and finished second in the conference standings (11-4-0).

Eliminated from the race for the WAC title, Ceres High snapped crosstown-rival Central Valley's 17-game unbeaten streak and secured the league's second playoff spot on the final day of the regular season.

The Bulldogs lost 2-1 and 4-1 to the Hawks earlier in the year.

Ceres High's defense allowed just 16 goals in 15 conference games.

"It's going to be a very competitive league," Saldate said. "I heard most of the schools did very well during the preseason."

The Bulldogs will try to win their second WAC title in four years and secure their fourth straight postseason berth this winter.

Ceres High will begin conference play on Thursday with a home game against Central Valley.

The contest will get underway at 2 p.m.

"It's a game you always want to win," Saldate said. "It's going to be tough. Central Valley has a very competitive team. We both have good programs."