Ceres High’s varsity girls soccer team secured a split during the opening week of Western Athletic Conference play.

The Bulldogs competed shorthanded during both games.

“Right now with all the injuries, there’s not much we can do,” coach Miguel Saldate said. “I want to give credit to the girls. They’re fighters.”

Ceres High improved to 5-5-1 overall and 1-1 in the WAC standings following Wednesday’s 5-2 win over host Lathrop.

The Spartans dropped to 2-3-1 and 1-1.

“We only had 11 players,” Saldate said. “We didn’t have any subs again.”

Ceres High’s Mariah Trevino scored three times against Lathrop.

Trevino missed the previous game due to a family obligation.

“There’s a difference when she’s not there,” Saldate said. “She helps the team a lot.”

Bulldog teammate Kalyani Hermosillo collected one goal and one assist.

Yanelli Rodriguez had one goal.

Jacqueline Ruiz chipped in with one assist.

Ceres High goalkeeper Siriana Gudino totaled five saves.

Trevino, Hermosillo, Rodriguez, Ruiz and Gudino helped the Bulldogs snap a three-game losing streak.

Ceres High lost 2-0 to Beyer on Dec. 10 at Bulldog Stadium.

The Bulldogs had no substitutes versus the Patriots (6-1-0). 

“The girls played their hearts out,” Saldate said. “If we would have had healthy players, we would have done better. I don’t know if we would have won.”

Gudino tallied eight saves in defeat.

“We tried to play defensive,” Saldate said. “It didn’t work.”

 The Bulldogs have competed with a thin roster for the majority of the season. Seven of 18 players have been hampered by injuries.

“We have 11 players and no subs sometimes,” Saldate said. “You have to use what you have. Most of the girls are in pretty good shape.”

Ceres High will host Johansen today at 6 p.m. 

“All of the girls know we’re short on players,” Saldate said. “Everybody always plays as hard as they can.”

Tracy 2, Central Valley 1

Central Valley’s varsity girls soccer team had its three-game winning streak snapped by Tracy on the road last week.

The shorthanded Hawks lost 2-1 to the Bulldogs in non-conference play on Dec. 11.

Central Valley had no substitutes for the game.

“It’s hard to compete with just 11 players,” head coach Miguel Larranaga said. “It changes everything. You don’t have options. You have to play with what you have. We were missing a lot of girls. Some were injured. Some were out of town. A few had finals.”

Central Valley dropped to 6-5 overall.

Tracy improved to 6-3-1.

“We’re disappointed,” Larranaga said. “That’s a game we should have won.”

Mixtly Vega accounted for the Hawks’ lone goal.

Central Valley goalie Lilliana Cruz had four saves.

Freshman Baily Gualco accounted for both of the Bulldogs’ goals.

Jaden Hall and Sammi Serrato both collected one assist.

Each team scored once in the opening half.

The Hawks grabbed a 1-0 lead when Vega converted a free kick from 20 yards away.

“It was a nice shot,” Larranaga said. 

Central Valley failed to convert several scoring chances in the final 15 minutes.

“We had so many opportunities,” Larranga said. “We just couldn’t finish. The girls tried their best.”