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Hawks exact a bit of soccer revenge
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Central Valley High School's varsity girls soccer team lost twice to Ceres High last season.
The host Hawks earned a measure of satisfaction with a 1-0 victory over the crosstown-rival Bulldogs on Tuesday, March 26.

"We did what we were supposed to do," Central Valley head coach Cyndi Meshach said. "We'll enjoy it (winning) and move on."

Jasmine Martinez accounted for the game-winning goal.

She scored off a pass from Vivian Valadez midway through the first half.

"It was beautiful," Meshach said.

Valadez also contributed on defense, along with Martha Gonzalez, Mayra Duran, Jacquline Vasquez and Alexandra Covarrubias.

Covarrubias, Central Valley's goalkeeper, made four saves.

"Our defense was pretty solid," Meshach said. "Ceres didn't have too many chances. Everything they did was from the outside."

Bulldog goalie Dayana Delgado had seven saves.

"It was a pretty even matchup," Ceres High head coach Javier Mercado said. "We had chances to score but didn't capitalize."

The Bulldogs competed shorthanded against the Hawks.

Forward Jackie Gonzalez was sidelined with a knee injury.

Forward/midfielder Fabiana Soto (ankle) played sparingly.

"That really hurt," Mercado said. "We were limited on offense."

Central Valley needs to finish among the top three teams in the Western Athletic Conference to qualify for the playoffs.

The Hawks (3-3) trail Central Catholic (6-0), Livingston (5-1) and Patterson (4-2) in the league standings.

Central Valley and fifth-place Ceres High (2-4) both have six games left on their WAC schedules.

"Anything can happen," Meshach said. "That's why you play the game. Our biggest issue is finishing. To be a striker takes a different mentality. You have to think you're better than everyone else. You can't play with fear."

Added Mercado: "We have a tough mountain to climb. We have to beat every team and get help."