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Hawks top Bulldogs in boys’, girls’ soccer
• CV dominates crosstown competitions
Samuel Vargas
Samuel Vargas (10) and Ceres High’s boys soccer team competed against Eberardo Huaracha (16) and Central Valley on Nov. 18. The host Hawks prevailed by shutout, 5-0. - photo by Dale Butler

Central Valley swept crosstown-rival Ceres High in soccer.

Central Valley’s boys team thrilled its home crowd with a 5-0 win over Ceres High on Nov. 18.

“We gave the fans what they wanted,” said Central Valley third-year varsity player Carlos Ochoa. “They wanted to see Ceres High get smoked. Our communication was really good.”

Added Hawks’ Coach Horatio Garcia: “We showed how good we can be.”

Sophomores Tahte Yang and Enrique Lopez both collected one goal and one assist to lead Central Valley.

Ochoa, sophomore Artemio Ortiz and freshman Ariano Delgado all contributed one goal.

Eberardo Huaracha and Adan Mercado each had one assist.

Goalkeeper Oscar Mercado was forced to make just one save.

The Hawks dominated from start to finish in shutting out the Bulldogs.

“I’m not really surprised,” said Ochoa about the one-sided result. “I expected us to beat them by a lot. It’s pretty special. My club coaches coach at Ceres High School. He (Gilbert Zamora) said he was proud of me. It means a lot.”

The Hawks and Bulldogs battled to a 2-2 tie last winter. The result was changed to a Central Valley forfeit win as Ceres High unknowingly used an ineligible player.

“It was an entirely different game this year,” said Garcia, whose team led 2-0 at halftime. “We controlled the tempo. We held possession. We created many opportunities. We had a really solid defense.”

Central Valley’s girls’ team pulled away for a 4-1 victory against visiting Ceres High on Nov. 28.

“I was confident we’d play well and have a good chance at getting the win,” said Hawks’ Coach Miguel Larranaga, “and that’s what happened. We have a good team. They lost a lot of players to graduation.”

The Hawks had a handful of contributors on offense as Isabella Barajas, Vivian Flores, Isabella Gudino and Angie Medrano all scored once.

Central Valley’s Yukari Mendoza and Magnolia Tavison both made two saves while splitting playing time at goalkeeper.

Kaylee Rodriguez accounted for Ceres High’s lone goal.

Abi Prado assisted.

The Hawks and Bulldogs battled to a 1-1 tie in the opening half.

Central Valley outscored Ceres High 3-1 during the final 40 minutes of play.

Medrano tallied what proved to be the winning goal with 19 minutes remaining in the game.

“We created more chances in the second half,” Larranaga said.

Artemio Ortiz
Artemio Ortiz and four other different players scored a goal during the Central Valley boys soccer team’s 5-0 home victory over crosstown-rival Ceres High on Nov. 18. - photo by Dale Butler