Ashley Juarez joined elite company by becoming the sixth girls soccer player from Central Valley High School to be voted league Most Valuable Player.
Juarez, Hawk teammates Aaralyn Jauregui, Kenia Acevedo, Ayleen Apreza, Bella Ayala, Amirrah Cornielle and Jocelyn Rivera, and Ceres High’s Brianna Luna and Jessie Blevins were rewarded during the Western Athletic Conference year-end head coaches’ meeting this past month.
“They earned it,” Central Valley head coach Miguel Larranaga stated. “They really made a difference.”
“They deserved it,” Bulldogs’ leader Rudy Jimenez added.
Juarez, a sophomore defender and team captain, followed in the footsteps of past Hawk MVPs Aaralyn Jauregui (2024-25), Angie Medrano (2021), Jocelyn Lopez (2018-19, 2017-18), Evelyn Andrade (2015-16) and Emely Amaya (2014-15).
“It’s a big deal,” Larranaga said. “To be able to do that as a defender is amazing. Normally, MVPs are forwards, the ones that score all of the goals.”
A role player as a freshman, Juarez had a breakout season with the WAC-champion Hawks this winter.
She managed to rank first on the team in both goals (14) and assists (7) despite starting at left defender.
“She had a great season,” Larranaga said. “All the coaches agreed.”
Jauregui was named WAC Offensive Player of the Year.
The junior forward/team captain was voted the conference’s MVP in 2024-25.
Jauregui collected nine goals and five assists this year
“She’s so valuable,” Larranaga said. “She brings a lot to the team. She’s just a great player.”
Acevedo, Apreza, Ayala and Luna were named to the WAC First Team.
Acevedo, a sophomore team captain, starred on defense.
“She’s the type of girl you want on your team,” Larranaga said. “She’s a good leader. She puts her heart into every game. She wants to make the team happy.”
Apreza, a sophomore midfielder, collected 10 goals and three assists.
“Her skills are amazing,” Larranaga said. “She’s very technical with the ball. She has great vision. She knows what to do on the field.”
Ayala, a junior forward, tallied nine goals and one assist.
“She’s got a strong kick,” Larranaga said. “She can score from anywhere.”
Luna, a senior team captain, contributed on defense.
She also logged playing time at forward.
“Brianna was a big part of our team,” Jimenez said. “She’s a great all-round player. She’s very committed.”
Cornielle, Rivera and Blevins were named to the WAC Second Team.
Cornielle, a sophomore stopper, had two goals and one assist.
“She played defense the whole season,” Larranaga said. “She did an amazing job.”
Rivera, a senior midfielder, had seven goals.
“She knows her position very well,” Larranaga said. “She’s a player that likes to be in the attacking zone.”
Blevins, a senior midfielder, managed to earn all-conference honors despite being slowed by knee and ankle injuries.
“That girl is tough,” Jimenez said. “She’s not afraid to be aggressive. She gave her all to the team. I trusted and believed in her abilities.”
Blevins was a four-year varsity player.
She was named to the WAC Second Team as a freshman.
Blevins suited up for Jimenez for three seasons.
“I’ve seen what she could do 100 percent healthy,” Jimenez said. “She’s a heck of a player. She’s very committed. She has a strong mentality. She’s a motivator. She helped on the sidelines. She had good leadership skills.”
Central Valley defended its WAC title this year with a near-perfect 13-1-0 record.
Ceres High (4-8-2) finished in fifth place.
