Central Valley’s girls soccer team earned its second shutout victory of the season versus crosstown-rival Ceres High this past week.
The Hawks closed out Western Athletic Conference play with a 7-0 road win over the Bulldogs on Feb. 10 at CUSD Stadium.
Central Valley dominated the first meeting, 8-0, on Jan. 15 at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.
“I’m happy for the girls,” Hawks’ head coach Miguel Larranaga said. “It’s a game we always want to win. It’s always a little stressful when we play Ceres. It doesn’t matter what the records are showing. Anything can happen.”
Central Valley improved to 15-4-2 on the season.
The Hawks defended their WAC championship with a near-perfect 13-1-0 mark and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the third year in a row.
“We have very good players that are committed to the team,” Larranaga said. “That’s why we were able to do this. I’m very proud of the girls.”
Ceres High posted a 5-14-2 overall record and finished fifth in the league standings (4-8-2).
The Bulldogs’ streak of consecutive playoff appearances ended at 10 seasons this winter.
Ceres High was forced to compete shorthanded the majority of the year after losing five players for various reasons, including three to club soccer.
Head coach Rudy Jimenez combined the Bulldogs’ varsity and junior-varsity squads during the final two weeks of WAC play.
“We didn’t have enough players,” he said. “We brought up our whole JV team. Girls are out sick and hurt. You have to deal with the cards you’re dealt. I’ll take the blame. I’m definitely going to do things different next year. We’re going to have a bigger bench.”
Ashley Juarez scored a team-high three goals in propelling the Hawks past the Bulldogs this past week.
Ayleen Apreza added two goals.
Bella Ayala collected one goal and one assist.
Jocelyn Rivera chipped in with one goal.
Marcella Larranaga had one assist.
Central Valley goalkeeper Elia Hernandez totaled four saves.
The Hawks built a 3-0 lead during the first half.
Ceres High challenged Central Valley in the opening 10 minutes.
“I was a little stressed,” coach Larranaga said. “It was pretty even at the beginning. She (Ceres High midfielder Sharryah Cabellos) was creating some opportunities. She’s a really talented player. She’s at a different level. Once we moved the ball around, and took control, that was it. They tried their best. I know they were missing some players. That didn’t help.”
Central Valley has collected 11 wins, five losses and three ties against Ceres High since 2014-15.
The Hawks widened the competitive gap against the shorthanded Bulldogs this season.
Central Valley prevailed 2-0 and battled to a 0-0 tie versus Ceres High last winter.
“It’s a good feeling when you win against your rival,” Miguel Larranaga said. “The girls really enjoy it. It would be funner if it was a more even game.”
“It’s a friendly rivalry,” Jimenez added. “The girls respect each other. Nobody is out to hurt anyone.”
Central Valley will lose four key players to graduation, including Hernandez, Rivera, Marcella Larranaga and Aaliyah Jauregui.
Rivera, Larranaga and Jauregui are four-year varsity contributors.
“It’s going to be tough to replace them,” coach Larranaga said. “We’re going to miss them a lot. They were a big part of the team.”
Eight of Ceres High’s 14 players will graduate this June, including Jessie Blevins, Kassandra Chavez, Stephanie Espinoza, Brianna Luna, Julia Medina, Xicalai Montanez and Evelyn Navarro. Foreign-exchange student-athlete Martina Meglioli will return to Italy.
