Second-year head coach Rudy Jimenez believes Ceres High’s girls soccer program will experience success this winter despite being hit hard by graduation.
Eleven contributors from a season ago are no longer on the team, including Marissa Renteria, Arianna Diaz, Lily Blevins, Analiz Angulo, Bianca Camorlinga, Leliah Elsumeri, Isla Hore, Jocelin Lopez, Ariela Roman, Kaylee Rodriguez and Natalie Sanchez are no longer on the team.
Renteria, a forward, and Diaz, a winger, both earned first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors.
Renteria totaled a team-high 17 goals in conference play.
A four-year varsity player, Diaz collected six goals and one assist in league play during her final season with Ceres High.
She earned first-team all-league honors senior, junior and sophomore years.
Diaz led Ceres High in scoring as a junior and sophomore.
“Our goal is to make playoffs again and get a better seed,” Jimenez said. “There’s pressure. But I have a lot of confidence in my team.”
The Bulldogs’ 17-person roster features a mix experience and youth.
Ceres High has nine returning players, including Melanie Lopez (Sr.), Ava Montesdeoca (Sr.), Alyssa Santillanes (Sr.), Itzel Torrez (Sr.), Mariah Zamora (Sr.), Jessie Blevins (Jr.), Evelyn Navarro (Jr.), Braidynn Mott (So.) and Giselle Zamora (So.).
The Bulldogs have eight newcomers: Madeline Diaz (Sr.), Stephanie Lizola (Sr.), Daira Rivas (Sr.), Marissa Vizcaino (Sr.), Stephanie Espinoza (Jr.), Brianna Luna (Jr.), Melina Castrejon (So.) and Sharryah Cabellos (Fr.).
“I feel I have a really strong squad this year,” Jimenez said. “They all have positive attitudes. Nobody puts anyone down. Everybody brings something to the table.”
Braidynn Mott and Giselle Zamora have been named team captains.
“They’re respected by the other players,” Jimenez said. “They have really good work ethics. It brings out the best in the other girls. They motivate the team.”
Ceres High compiled a 12-10-1 overall record, placed third in the WAC standings with an 8-5-1 mark and advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs for the ninth consecutive year last winter.
The Bulldogs appeared headed for a losing season before experiencing a major turnaround.
Ceres High climbed from eighth to third in the WAC after winning eight of its final nine league games.
The 15th-seeded Bulldogs lost 6-2 to the second-seeded Oakdale Mustangs in the opening round of the playoffs.
Oakdale advanced to the section title game.
The Mustangs (18-7-3, 6-2-2) finished first in the Valley Oak Leagued during the regular season.
The 2024-25 Bulldogs will receive a more favorable draw for playoffs with a better showing in the new-look WAC.
The conference features eight teams, including Ceres High, Central Valley, Livingston, Beyer, Grace Davis, Johansen, Lathrop and Pacheco.
Central Valley and Livingston previously competed in the Central California Conference and Trans Valley League, respectively.
Los Banos and Mountain House relocated to the WAC and VOL.
“Without a doubt, I see us finishing in the top three,” Jimenez said.
Ceres High and Central Valley will battle for crosstown supremacy.
But more will be at stake, beginning this year.
Results could decide a conference champion and playoff qualifiers.
“CV is stacked,” Jimenez said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge. A lot of the girls know each other. My goal is to make sure we stay focused and don’t get distracted. We’re going to do our best and give them a run for their money.”
Ceres High will be vying for its 10th consecutive postseason berth.
“Last year was a big blur,” Jimenez said. “It was my first year coaching. We didn’t have a complete team. I want to push the girls as hard as I can because I want the best for them. The expectation is to win as many games as we can and get a better seed for playoffs.”
