Ceres High School's varsity girls soccer team halted a four-game losing streak with a 3-0 victory over Lathrop's first-year program on Thursday.
The host Bulldogs treated the Spartans like any other opponent.
"We're not a good enough team to take any team lightly," Ceres High head coach Dominic Figueroa said.
The Bulldogs improved to 5-9-2 overall and 2-5 in the Valley Oak League.
Lathrop dropped to 0-6 in the conference standings.
Brittany Solis scored in the opening minute as Ceres High grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first half.
"I was concerned," Figueroa said. "If they would have gotten one, the momentum would have changed."
The Bulldogs rolled after intermission.
Leah Rose doubled Ceres High's lead early in the second half.
"That made me feel comfortable," Figueroa said.
Katie Herrera added a goal in the 55th minute.
Bulldog goalkeeper Nichole Fitch posted her fifth shutout this year, including second in VOL play. The third-year starter had to make just two saves against the Spartans.
"Our team played good defense as a whole," Figueroa said.
Ceres High will face Central Valley on Monday, April 12 at Bulldog Stadium. The crosstown contest will begin at 4 p.m.
The Bulldogs lost twice (6-0, 4-1) to the Hawks last year.
Ceres High posted a 2-0 record (2-0, 4-3) against Central Valley in 2008.
"We have not talked about it until now," Figueroa said. "It's a game we feel we can win. We're going to have to shut them out."
Banged-up CV struggles
Key players Simi Talawan, Ashley Lerma and Dalia Aguayo were sidelined with injuries during Central Valley High School's 4-0 loss to Oakdale in varsity girls soccer on Thursday in Ceres.
"If we had our full team, it would have been a different game," Hawks head coach Cyndi Meshach said.
Reserve goalkeeper Elizabeth Amaya tallied 16 saves for Central Valley, which fell to 2-4 in the Valley Oak League standings. Amaya started in place of Alyssa Meshach, Lerma's backup. Alyssa contributed on defense.
"She (Elizabeth) did a great job," Cyndi Meshach said. "She came out and played aggressive."
Hailey Turney, Megan Mossman, Ashley Rosa and Jill Kahler scored goals in the 11th, 33rd, 59th and 71st minutes, respectively, for Oakdale (4-0-2).
Talawan, Central Valley's top defender, dislocated her right kneecap while playing indoor soccer on Wednesday.
"I felt like I let everybody down," Simi stated as she leaned on crutches following the league loss. "Everybody says I make a big difference."
Coach Meshach shuffled her lineup after being informed of Talawan's injury several hours before Thursday's game. The shorthanded Hawks failed to respond without their leader.
"It's a huge mental thing because they depend on her so much," Cyndi said.
Oakdale thoroughly dominated Central Valley for 80 minutes.
The Mustangs held a 30-9 shot advantage for the game.
"It was rough," Meshach said.
The host Bulldogs treated the Spartans like any other opponent.
"We're not a good enough team to take any team lightly," Ceres High head coach Dominic Figueroa said.
The Bulldogs improved to 5-9-2 overall and 2-5 in the Valley Oak League.
Lathrop dropped to 0-6 in the conference standings.
Brittany Solis scored in the opening minute as Ceres High grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first half.
"I was concerned," Figueroa said. "If they would have gotten one, the momentum would have changed."
The Bulldogs rolled after intermission.
Leah Rose doubled Ceres High's lead early in the second half.
"That made me feel comfortable," Figueroa said.
Katie Herrera added a goal in the 55th minute.
Bulldog goalkeeper Nichole Fitch posted her fifth shutout this year, including second in VOL play. The third-year starter had to make just two saves against the Spartans.
"Our team played good defense as a whole," Figueroa said.
Ceres High will face Central Valley on Monday, April 12 at Bulldog Stadium. The crosstown contest will begin at 4 p.m.
The Bulldogs lost twice (6-0, 4-1) to the Hawks last year.
Ceres High posted a 2-0 record (2-0, 4-3) against Central Valley in 2008.
"We have not talked about it until now," Figueroa said. "It's a game we feel we can win. We're going to have to shut them out."
Banged-up CV struggles
Key players Simi Talawan, Ashley Lerma and Dalia Aguayo were sidelined with injuries during Central Valley High School's 4-0 loss to Oakdale in varsity girls soccer on Thursday in Ceres.
"If we had our full team, it would have been a different game," Hawks head coach Cyndi Meshach said.
Reserve goalkeeper Elizabeth Amaya tallied 16 saves for Central Valley, which fell to 2-4 in the Valley Oak League standings. Amaya started in place of Alyssa Meshach, Lerma's backup. Alyssa contributed on defense.
"She (Elizabeth) did a great job," Cyndi Meshach said. "She came out and played aggressive."
Hailey Turney, Megan Mossman, Ashley Rosa and Jill Kahler scored goals in the 11th, 33rd, 59th and 71st minutes, respectively, for Oakdale (4-0-2).
Talawan, Central Valley's top defender, dislocated her right kneecap while playing indoor soccer on Wednesday.
"I felt like I let everybody down," Simi stated as she leaned on crutches following the league loss. "Everybody says I make a big difference."
Coach Meshach shuffled her lineup after being informed of Talawan's injury several hours before Thursday's game. The shorthanded Hawks failed to respond without their leader.
"It's a huge mental thing because they depend on her so much," Cyndi said.
Oakdale thoroughly dominated Central Valley for 80 minutes.
The Mustangs held a 30-9 shot advantage for the game.
"It was rough," Meshach said.
