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Ruiz wins conference MVP award
Jackie Ruiz
Jackie Ruiz enjoyed a breakout season with Ceres High’s varsity girls soccer team this winter. The junior forward tallied a program-record 53 goals for the Western Athletic Conference-champion Bulldogs. Ruiz was voted the WAC’s co-MVP. - photo by Dale Butler

Ceres High’s varsity girls soccer team had the most dangerous player in the Western Athletic Conference this season.

Junior forward Jackie Ruiz was recognized for her scoring prowess during the WAC’s year-end head coaches’ meeting on Feb. 17 at Pacheco High School.

Fellow Bulldog players Aaliyah Ruiz, Daisy Duran, Siriana Gudino, Miranda Larranaga, Kalyani Hermosillo and Kristina Corbin were also honored.

“It’s my first year coaching girls,” said Ceres High leader Danny Barragan, who was named WAC Coach of the Year. “We had a talented group. That played a big part in our success.”

Ruiz was voted co-Most Valuable Player of the WAC.

She shared the honor with Beyer’s Kayla Duenas.

Ceres High (13-0-1) and Beyer (12-1-1) placed first and second, respectively, in the conference standings.

Ceres High beat (2-0) and tied (1-1) Beyer once.

“It should have been unanimous,” Barragan said. “Sometimes the voting isn’t fair.”

Ruiz totaled a program-record 53 goals on the year.

“She’s an amazing player,” Barragan said. “She’s very talented. She’s dedicated. She plays with heart. She hates losing.”

Gudino, Duran and Aaliyah Ruiz were all selected to the WAC First Team.

Gudino, a senior, starred at goalkeeper.

Duran (So.) and Ruiz (Jr.) contributed at defender and midfielder, respectively.

Larranaga, Hermosillo and Corbin were second-team picks.

Larranaga (Sr.) and Hermosillo (Sr.) were starting midfielders.

Larranaga ranked second on the team in scoring.

Corbin (Fr.) played forward.