Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s boys soccer programs faced off for the first time since the 2018-19 season this past week.
The Bulldogs won the crosstown battle, 2-0, versus the Hawks on April 30 at CUSD Stadium.
Ceres High and Central Valley tied 2-2 tie during the previous meeting.
“It feels good to beat CV,” said Gilbert Zamora, first-year head coach of the Bulldogs. “It’s been a while. We’ll enjoy the win.”
Ceres High improved to 3-1-0 overall and 3-0-0 in the Western Athletic Conference South standings.
Central Valley dropped to 4-4-1 overall and 2-1-0 in WAC play.
“It a good thing to get wins early. The teams we beat will come back stronger in the second round.”Coach Gilbert Zamora
“It a good thing to get wins early,” Zamora said. “The teams we beat will come back stronger in the second round.”
Ceres High’s Erick Gudino and Gonzalo Rivera both scored once against Central Valley.
Gilbert Zamora collected one assist.
Bulldog goalkeeper Jesse Villalobos had one save.
Ceres High tallied both of its goals in the opening half.
“We played on their side of the field most of the game,” Zamora said. “We could have scored a couple more goals. They have a good defense. You have to respect that.”
The rematch will be staged at Central Valley on May 19 at 5:45 p.m.
“It’s going to be tougher,” Zamora said.
“We enjoy playing against CV,” he added. “We respect their coaches and players.”
GIRLS SOCCER
Central Valley’s girls soccer team topped shorthanded Ceres High, 3-1, at home on Friday.
“The whole game was very competitive,” Hawks’ head coach Miguel Larranaga said. “Ceres has very strong players.”
Central Valley improved to 2-0-1 in the Western Athletic Conference South standings.
Ceres High dropped to 2-1-0 in WAC play.
“It’s the first game we’ve had the whole team together,” Larranaga said. “I’m very happy. The girls understand the system we want them to play. They play as a team and use the whole field.”
Freshman Emaly Fernandez accounted for two of the Hawks’ three goals.
Ally Singh scored once.
Freshman Isabella Barajas had one assist.
Freshman Cylee Cowell accounted for the Bulldogs’ lone goal prior to exiting the game early in the second half with an ankle injury.
“She’s going to be a star,” Ceres High head coach Hannah Menk said. “She’s very talented.”
Ceres High senior Jackie Ruiz, who set a program-record for goals scored in a single season with 53 a year ago, missed her second straight game for health reasons. She was voted co-Most Valuable Player of the WAC as a junior.
“She (Ruiz) could have made crucial plays at top,” Menk said.
“I know how dangerous she is,” Larranaga said. “She’s fast. She’s strong. She’s a complete player. We get to play them again. We’ll see how we do with her on the field.”
The two teams battled to a 1-1 tie in the opening 40 minutes.
Cowell scored the game-tying goal for the Bulldogs.
“It was very competitive in the first half,” Menk said. “CV was stronger in the second half. We just couldn’t keep up.”
“We created the same opportunities in both halves,” Larranaga said. “The second half, we put in two. That made the difference.”
Ceres High will try to exact revenge versus Central Valley at CUSD Stadium on May 19. The game will get underway at 5:45 p.m.