A year ago at this time, Ceres High School's varsity boys soccer team experienced the disappointment of losing 5-4 on penalty kicks to River City in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championship game.
The Bulldogs made a return trip to the finals on Saturday and erased the bad memory of last season's crushing defeat with a convincing 2-0 victory over crosstown nemesis Central Valley.
After time expired, Ceres High's student section stormed the field at Lincoln High's Alex G. Spanos Stadium. Forward Luis Martinez emerged from the dogpile with a smile on his face and jumped into the arms of goalkeeper Kyle Cerny.
"We wanted it more," Martinez said. "We were tired of losing. This makes up for everything."
Ceres High (17-3-3) ended a four-year winless streak against Central Valley (17-4-5) on the biggest stage. The Bulldogs entered the section title game with an all-time record of 0-6-2 versus the Hawks. Central Valley edged out Ceres High for the Valley Oak League crown the past two seasons.
"This loss is going to haunt them for the rest of their lives," Martinez said.
Added Cerny: "This is the one that matters. All the other games are erased."
Ceres High junior Ramon Corona picked the perfect time to score the two most important goals of his career. He headed in a cross pass from Alejandro Castro and fired a left-footed free kick into the upper left corner in the first half.
"I'm just happy that we did it," Corona said. "We're champions. I can't believe it."
The Bulldogs dominated play for 80 minutes.
"They controlled the whole game," Hawk sophomore striker Daniel Ochoa said.
Koeurn Phe, Ceres High's head coach, and his players posed for a team picture in front of the scoreboard following the historical victory.
Martinez and Cerny, two seniors, held the blue section title banner. It will displayed on a wall inside Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
"Mission complete," Phe said. "It's a huge relief."
Added Corona: "It was our time to win."
The Bulldogs made a return trip to the finals on Saturday and erased the bad memory of last season's crushing defeat with a convincing 2-0 victory over crosstown nemesis Central Valley.
After time expired, Ceres High's student section stormed the field at Lincoln High's Alex G. Spanos Stadium. Forward Luis Martinez emerged from the dogpile with a smile on his face and jumped into the arms of goalkeeper Kyle Cerny.
"We wanted it more," Martinez said. "We were tired of losing. This makes up for everything."
Ceres High (17-3-3) ended a four-year winless streak against Central Valley (17-4-5) on the biggest stage. The Bulldogs entered the section title game with an all-time record of 0-6-2 versus the Hawks. Central Valley edged out Ceres High for the Valley Oak League crown the past two seasons.
"This loss is going to haunt them for the rest of their lives," Martinez said.
Added Cerny: "This is the one that matters. All the other games are erased."
Ceres High junior Ramon Corona picked the perfect time to score the two most important goals of his career. He headed in a cross pass from Alejandro Castro and fired a left-footed free kick into the upper left corner in the first half.
"I'm just happy that we did it," Corona said. "We're champions. I can't believe it."
The Bulldogs dominated play for 80 minutes.
"They controlled the whole game," Hawk sophomore striker Daniel Ochoa said.
Koeurn Phe, Ceres High's head coach, and his players posed for a team picture in front of the scoreboard following the historical victory.
Martinez and Cerny, two seniors, held the blue section title banner. It will displayed on a wall inside Phil de la Porte Gymnasium.
"Mission complete," Phe said. "It's a huge relief."
Added Corona: "It was our time to win."
