Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s girls and boys soccer programs kicked off the Western Athletic Conference portion of their schedules the week of Dec. 15-19.
Central Valley’s girls team improved to 4-3-2 overall and 2-0-0 in the WAC after earning wins against Pacheco and Grace Davis.
“We need to continue on the path we’re going,” Hawks’ head coach Miguel Larranaga said. “We’re going to try our best to win the title again. But nothing is guaranteed.”
Central Valley opened league play with 5-0 victory over Grace Davis on Dec. 16 in Modesto.
“It was a tough game,” Larranaga said. “It was 0-0 for a long time.”
Central Valley pulled away for an 8-0 win against Pacheco on Dec. 18 at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.
The Hawks led 2-0 at halftime.
“It was competitive at the beginning of the game,” Larranaga said. “It took us a while to score our first goal.”
Central Valley shut out its first two conference opponents.
“Our defense did an amazing job,” Larranaga said.
Ceres High’s girls soccer team secured a split during the opening week of WAC play.
The Bulldogs improved to 2-7-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the league standings after besting Johansen 2-1 on Dec. 18 in Modesto.
Sharryah Cabellos and Tatiana Zamora both scored one goal.
Ceres High lost 1-0 to Livingston on Dec. 16 at CUSD Stadium.
Central Valley’s boys soccer team accumulated one win and one tie during the opening week of WAC play.
“We’ll continue to learn and work,” Hawks’ head coach Horacio Garcia said.
Central Valley moved to 1-6-4 and 1-0-1 in league play with a 1-1 tie versus Pacheco on Dec. 18 in Los Banos.
The Hawks had to settle for a draw despite limiting the Panthers to just two shots on goal.
Central Valley evened the score in the final minute of the game on Jayden Pires’ 25-yard free kick. The ball deflected off a Pacheco player and rolled into the goal.
Central Valley defeated Grace Davis 2-0 on Dec. 16 at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.
Miguel Gutierrez and Manuel Iniguez both tallied one goal.
Ceres High’s boys soccer team lost to Johansen and Livingston.
The Bulldogs dropped to 2-5-2 overall and 0-2-0 in the WAC following its 2-0 loss to Johansen on Dec. 18 at CUSD Stadium.
Host Livingston topped Ceres High 3-1 on Dec. 16.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Central Valley’s girls basketball team won two of its final four preseason games.
“We’ve definitely been playing better lately,” head coach Derrick Goblirsch said. “Most of our games have been competitive.”
The Hawks compiled a 1-2 record at the Central Catholic Tournament, staged Dec. 27-30 in Modesto.
Central Valley closed out the tourney with a 53-46 victory over River Islands on Dec. 30.
Ari Martinez led the Hawks with 25 points, three steals, two assists and one rebound.
Emily Mariani collected 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Lilyanna Madrigal had five points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and one steal.
Central Valley lost 42-33 to Bear Creek on Dec. 29.
Martinez tallied nine points, two assists, one rebound and one steal.
Mariani had six points and five rebounds.
Madrigal had five points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.
Central Valley lost 62-6 to Central Catholic on Dec. 27.
Madrigal totaled three points, three rebounds and one block.
Serath Birring added three points and two steals.
Central Valley held on for a 39-33 victory over River Islands on Dec. 23 in Ceres.
Martinez led the Hawks with 13 points, 10 steals, one rebound and one assist.
Mariani had seven points, five rebounds, one assist and one block.
Bella Delatorre had five points, nine rebounds and four steals.
The Hawks compiled a 3-9 record during the preseason.
“We’ve been getting better and better,” Goblirsch said. “Defense is where we’ve grown the most as a team. We’re going into league with some momentum.”
BOYS BASKETBALL
Ceres High’s boys basketball team posted a 1-2 record at the Dec. 18-19 Hilmar Tournament.
Ceres High dropped to 6-8 overall after losing 66-42 to Livingston on Dec. 20.
Ceres High lost 63-50 to Los Banos on Dec. 19.
Ceres edged Hilmar 70-65 in overtime on Dec. 18.
Central Valley’s boys basketball team closed out preseason play with a 69-41 loss at Stone Ridge Christian on Jan. 3.
The Hawks dropped to 5-9 on the year.
