Central Valley’s girls soccer program broke into the Central California Conference win column for the first time this season last week.
“We didn’t allow a goal against the top two teams in league,” Hawks’ head coach Miguel Larranaga said. “We proved we have a good team. We can compete with anybody. We just need to score goals.”
Fifth-place Central Valley improved to 8-7-1 overall and 2-4-0 in the CCC with a 1-0 victory over Buhach Colony in a makeup game rescheduled due to wet weather on Saturday in Atwater.
The Thunder (8-3-2, 2-3-2) dropped from second to fourth in the conference standings.
Hawk Angie Medrano accounted for the game’s lone goal as she converted a penalty kick during the first half.
“Medrano is the leader on defense,” Larranga said. “Because of injuries, I made a decision to move her up to forward. She finished the PK and it gave us the win.”
Central Valley’s Aaliyah Jauregui, Niome McMurray, Emaly Fernandez and Michelle Soto starred on defense for the second game in a row.
Hawk Yukari Mendoza made five saves at goalkeeper.
“They’re doing a great job,” Larranaga said.
Central Valley shut out El Capitan 1-0 on Jan. 24 in Ceres.
“We gave them their first loss in league,” Larranga said.
Viviana Flores converted a penalty kick in the opening half versus the third-place Gauchos (11-6-1, 6-2-1).
Mendoza totaled five saves.
“We didn’t make any mistakes,” Larranga said.
The Hawks kept their slim postseason hopes alive.
Central Valley had six games remaining on its CCC schedule as of Sunday.
The Hawks have no room for error.
“I’m happy,” Larranaga said. “Every single game we’ve played has been competitive. We’ve had two straight wins. I’m looking forward to the team continuing to play the way they’ve been playing. We have to win every game to have a shot at playoffs.”
Dawgs second in WAC
Ceres High’s girls soccer team battled Pacheco and Los Banos last week.
The second-place Bulldogs improved to 9-4-1 on the season and 8-2-1 in the Western Athletic Conference after edging out Pacheco 1-0 on Wednesday in Los Banos.
The sixth-place Panthers dropped to 0-7-0 in the WAC standings.
Ceres High shut out Pacheco 6-0 on Dec. 5 at CUSD Stadium.
Bulldog freshman Jessie Blevins tallied the contest’s lone goal.
She scored on a 35-yard free kick.
The ball sailed over the goalkeeper’s head and into the upper-left corner of the net.
Ceres High junior Lilly Blevins had one save at goalkeeper.
Bulldog defender Abigayil Prado was sidelined with an ankle injury.
Ceres High sustained a 1-0 loss on Jan. 23 while playing host to Los Banos in front of a large crowd on Senior Night.
The Bulldogs won the first meeting on the road, 5-1, on Jan. 21.
The Tigers exacted revenge versus the Bulldogs.
Prado, Camille Clemmer, Natalie Corbin, Kristina Corbin, Jasmine Ravelo, Erica Vieira and Giulia Puonzo, Ceres High’s seven underclassmen, were recognized prior to the start of their final regular-season home game.
“They all have their own personalities and strengths,” head coach Hannah Menk said. “They’re going to be missed.”
Prado, Clemmer, Ravelo, Vieira, Natalie Corbin and Kristina Corbin have suited up for Menk for the past three seasons.
“The seniors have been the backbone of the team the last three years,” she said. “They’re all friends. They’ve all gotten stronger and better. I’m really proud of them.”
BOYS SOCCER
Central Valley’s boys soccer team kept its playoff hopes alive this past week.
The Hawks climbed to third place in the Central California Conference standings after tying El Capitan and besting Buhach Colony.
The top three teams in the CCC qualify will be awarded postseason berths following the conclusion of the regular season.
Central Valley improved to 12-4-5 and 3-2-1 in the league standings after battling to a scoreless tie with El Capitan on Jan. 24 in Merced.
“We could have done a lot better,” head coach Horatio Garcia said. “We had some chances to score. We didn’t capitalize on our opportunities.”
Osvaldo Cisneros and Oscar Mercado each made four saves while splitting playing time at goalkeeper.
Central Valley edged Buhach Colony 2-1 in a makeup game reschedule because of poor field conditions on Jan. 23.
Victor Macias accounted for both of the Hawks’ goals.
The junior converted a pair of penalty kicks.
Mercado totaled three saves at goalkeeper.
Central Valley led 2-0 at halftime.
Buhach Colony cut the deficit to one goal late in the game.
CHS wins twice
Ceres High’s boys soccer team remained in the hunt for a postseason berth this past week after topping Los Banos and Pacheco in league play.
“We have to win every game to make playoffs,” Bulldogs’ head coach Gilbert Zamora Jr. said. “We can’t depend on other teams.”
Ceres High improved to 6-8-4 overall and 4-3-3 in the Western Athletic Conference standings following Friday’s 2-0 shutout of host Los Banos.”
William Duran and Benjamin Larranaga led the way on offense with one goal apiece.
Enrique Murillo and Samuel Vargas both collected one assist.
Christopher Vega tallied six saves at goalkeeper.
The Bulldogs avenged a 3-1 loss.
Ceres High held on for a 3-2 victory over Pacheco on Wednesday at CUSD Stadium.
The Bulldogs and Panthers battled to a scoreless tie on Dec. 16 in Los Banos.
Ceres High moved into a fifth-place tie in the WAC standings with Pacheco.
The top three teams in league qualify for playoffs.
“Every game is must-win,” Zamora said. “It’s going to be interesting to see what happens.”
