Ceres High School's varsity boys soccer team struggled during the preseason.
Competing with a brand-new lineup, the 2009 Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV champion Bulldogs compiled a 2-5-1 record.
"We got beat up pretty bad," Ceres High head coach Koeurn Phe said. "It was a learning experience."
The Bulldogs won twice last week and improved to 5-1-1 in the Western Athletic Conference (second place). Ceres High remains three points behind Central Valley in the standings.
"I'm a little surprised at how effective my team has been," Phe said. "They learned to eliminate mistakes they made early in the preseason."
Ulises Lua helped solidify the Bulldogs' lineup. The third-year starter missed the first 13 games with a back injury that was sustained in a car accident. He's logged playing time at striker and midfielder.
"My team is more balanced now," Phe said. "I have a stronger rotation. He (Lua) can play any position. He's very talented."
Lua scored once during Ceres High's 3-2 win over Los Banos on Wednesday at Bulldog Stadium.
Ramon Corona had two goals and one assist.
The Bulldogs shut out Central Catholic 2-0 on Monday, Oct. 11 in Ceres.
Corona and Alejandro Reyes tallied one goal each.
Pedro Torrez had six saves.
The top three teams in the WAC advance to the postseason.
Revamped Ceres High will try to secure its third straight berth.
"We want to be a playoff team," Phe said. "We have the talent."
Competing with a brand-new lineup, the 2009 Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV champion Bulldogs compiled a 2-5-1 record.
"We got beat up pretty bad," Ceres High head coach Koeurn Phe said. "It was a learning experience."
The Bulldogs won twice last week and improved to 5-1-1 in the Western Athletic Conference (second place). Ceres High remains three points behind Central Valley in the standings.
"I'm a little surprised at how effective my team has been," Phe said. "They learned to eliminate mistakes they made early in the preseason."
Ulises Lua helped solidify the Bulldogs' lineup. The third-year starter missed the first 13 games with a back injury that was sustained in a car accident. He's logged playing time at striker and midfielder.
"My team is more balanced now," Phe said. "I have a stronger rotation. He (Lua) can play any position. He's very talented."
Lua scored once during Ceres High's 3-2 win over Los Banos on Wednesday at Bulldog Stadium.
Ramon Corona had two goals and one assist.
The Bulldogs shut out Central Catholic 2-0 on Monday, Oct. 11 in Ceres.
Corona and Alejandro Reyes tallied one goal each.
Pedro Torrez had six saves.
The top three teams in the WAC advance to the postseason.
Revamped Ceres High will try to secure its third straight berth.
"We want to be a playoff team," Phe said. "We have the talent."
