Ceres High School's varsity boys soccer team made history last fall when it shut out crosstown rival Central Valley 2-0 for Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championship.
The victory snapped an eight-game winless streak against the Hawks.
On Monday, Oct. 4, host Ceres High and undefeated Central Valley battled to a scoreless tie.
The two teams were assessed a combined eight yellow cards during the Western Athletic Conference showdown, which was held on a soggy field at Bulldog Stadium.
"It was very competitive," Hawks junior striker Daniel Ochoa said. "I'm satisfied. We didn't lose."
Ochoa, the 10th leading scorer in the state, was hounded by Ceres High defender Alejandro Reyes.
"Our game plan was to neutralize him (Ochoa) and make his teammates do the work," Bulldogs head coach Koeurn Phe said. "That's what made this game close."
"I've played against other players that are just as fast," Reyes said. "I knew it was going to be a challenge."
"It was difficult," said Ochoa, who totaled 17 goals and nine assists through the Hawks' first 10 games. "He bodied me up. He did a good job out there. I respect him."
Central Valley nearly scored twice late in the second half.
Hawk midfielder Larry Hernandez had a shot ricochet off the left post with 15 minutes to play.
In the 70th minute, freshman Daniel Hernandez collected Ochoa's throw-in from the left side and almost played the role of hero. His close-range shot was deflected out of bounds by a Bulldog defender.
"We created a lot of opportunities and didn't finish," Central Valley head coach Omar Leon said.
Added Ochoa: "Losing Jose hurt us. It messed up our rhythm."
Jose Ramirez, the 2009 Valley Oak League MVP, was knocked out of the game with a right knee injury midway through the second half. Ceres High's Pedro Torrez was given a yellow card for a hard challenge on a 50-50 ball.
"It affected everybody psychologically," Leon said.
Ceres High's best scoring chance came early in the first half.
Hawk goalkeeper Gerardo Cazares punched Ceres High forward Ramon Corona's left-footed shot over the crossbar. Corona accounted for both of the Bulldogs' goals during the section title game.
Central Valley (12-1-0, 5-1-0) won its first 11 games of the 2010 season, including four in WAC play.
The Hawks longed to exact revenge against Ceres High (4-6-3, 2-1-1).
The Bulldogs earned a tie despite competing with a revamped lineup.
Ceres High lost multiple starters to graduation, including all-time greats Luis Martinez, Kyle Cerny and David Estrada.
"We still got talent," Reyes said.
The victory snapped an eight-game winless streak against the Hawks.
On Monday, Oct. 4, host Ceres High and undefeated Central Valley battled to a scoreless tie.
The two teams were assessed a combined eight yellow cards during the Western Athletic Conference showdown, which was held on a soggy field at Bulldog Stadium.
"It was very competitive," Hawks junior striker Daniel Ochoa said. "I'm satisfied. We didn't lose."
Ochoa, the 10th leading scorer in the state, was hounded by Ceres High defender Alejandro Reyes.
"Our game plan was to neutralize him (Ochoa) and make his teammates do the work," Bulldogs head coach Koeurn Phe said. "That's what made this game close."
"I've played against other players that are just as fast," Reyes said. "I knew it was going to be a challenge."
"It was difficult," said Ochoa, who totaled 17 goals and nine assists through the Hawks' first 10 games. "He bodied me up. He did a good job out there. I respect him."
Central Valley nearly scored twice late in the second half.
Hawk midfielder Larry Hernandez had a shot ricochet off the left post with 15 minutes to play.
In the 70th minute, freshman Daniel Hernandez collected Ochoa's throw-in from the left side and almost played the role of hero. His close-range shot was deflected out of bounds by a Bulldog defender.
"We created a lot of opportunities and didn't finish," Central Valley head coach Omar Leon said.
Added Ochoa: "Losing Jose hurt us. It messed up our rhythm."
Jose Ramirez, the 2009 Valley Oak League MVP, was knocked out of the game with a right knee injury midway through the second half. Ceres High's Pedro Torrez was given a yellow card for a hard challenge on a 50-50 ball.
"It affected everybody psychologically," Leon said.
Ceres High's best scoring chance came early in the first half.
Hawk goalkeeper Gerardo Cazares punched Ceres High forward Ramon Corona's left-footed shot over the crossbar. Corona accounted for both of the Bulldogs' goals during the section title game.
Central Valley (12-1-0, 5-1-0) won its first 11 games of the 2010 season, including four in WAC play.
The Hawks longed to exact revenge against Ceres High (4-6-3, 2-1-1).
The Bulldogs earned a tie despite competing with a revamped lineup.
Ceres High lost multiple starters to graduation, including all-time greats Luis Martinez, Kyle Cerny and David Estrada.
"We still got talent," Reyes said.
