Central Valley’s boys soccer team won the Central California Conference championship outright this past week after reeling off three straight victories.
The Hawks captured the CCC crown with a 1-0 win over Patterson on Saturday at Patterson Community Stadium.
Central Valley improved to 20-6-1 on the season and finished 11-1-0 in conference play.
The Hawks claimed a league title for the first time under fourth-year head coach Horatio Garcia’s guidance. Predecessor Omar Leon led Central Valley to eight conference crowns.
“It feels awesome to get this first varsity title under my belt,” Garcia said. “Every year, the first objective is to win league. We’ve been close a couple years.”
Alejandro Garcia scored his 23rd goal of the season off a deflection during the second half of Central Valley’s victory over Patterson. Garcia pressured Patterson’s goalkeeper into a mistake.
Hawk goalie Damyan Garcia made three saves while filling in at goalkeeper for Jesus Silva, who suffered an injury two days earlier against Merced.
Central Valley shut out Merced 2-0 on Thursday at McNamara Park.
“We had to win to keep our hopes alive for the league title,” coach Garcia said. “It’s a team we should beat. We took care of business.”
Yahir Perez and Alejandro Garcia both scored once against the Bears.
Central Valley rolled to a 9-1 win against visiting Buhach Colony on Senior Night on Jan. 30.
“They did what they do best,” Horatio Garcia said.
Perez led the Hawks with three goals and one assist.
Andres Guevara had one goal and one assist.
Enrique Lopez had one goal.
Miguel Serrano had three assists.
Julio Larranaga, Victor Macias and Gilbert Zamora III all had one assist.
Perez, Guevara, Serrano, Larranaga, Macias, Zamora III, Jesus Silva, Alexis Cervantes, Diego Covarrubias and Aaron Flores, Central Valley’s 10 senior players, were recognized before their final home regular-season game.
“It was a happy moment for everybody,” coach Garcia said. “It’s been a privilege to be their coach. They’ve worked hard.”
Dawgs shine
Eliminated from Sac-Joaquin Section playoff consideration, Ceres High’s boys soccer team showed improvement while winning two of three conference games this past week.
Ceres High shut out Mountain House 2-0 on Friday at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.
The Bulldogs improved to 7-10-2 overall and 5-7-1 in the Western Athletic Conference. Ceres High climbed from seventh to fifth in the WAC standings.
Enrique Murillo and Samuel Vargas both tallied one goal against Mountain House.
Luis Flores collected one assist.
Freshman goalkeeper Angel Perez made three saves.
Ceres High edged visiting Pacheco 1-0 on Wednesday.
Perez totaled five saves.
Murillo accounted for the game’s lone goal.
Ceres High lost 2-1 to Los Banos on Jan. 29.
Murillo prevented the shutout with a goal.
GIRLS SOCCER
Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s girls soccer programs kept their playoff hopes alive last week.
The Bulldogs remained in the hunt for the Western Athletic Conference’s third playoff spot after winning one of two games.
The Hawks secured a split to move into a tie for third place in Central California Conference.
The top three teams in each league will be awarded playoff berths at the end of the regular season.
“Four teams are fighting for three spots (in the CCC),” Central Valley head coach Miguel Larranaga said. “We have to tie or win our final game. If we lose, we’re out.”
“I’m proud of the girls,” Ceres High leader Rudy Jimenez said. “They didn’t give up.”
The Hawks improved to 11-10-1 overall and 7-3-1 in the CCC standings after edging host Merced 1-0 on Thursday.
Freshman Aaralyn Jauregui accounted for the contest’s lone goal.
Central Valley topped Buhach Colony 4-1 on Jan. 30 in Atwater.
Jauregui and Daniela Rodriguez led the Hawks with two goals apiece.
The Hawks are inching closer to securing a playoff berth.
Ceres High dropped to 11-9-1 overall and 7-5-1 in the WAC standings following its 5-0 loss to host Mountain House on Friday.
The Bulldogs competed shorthanded as five players missed the contest for another school commitment.
“It’s a different team when your starters are there,” Jimenez said.
Ceres High defeated Pacheco 1-0 on Wednesday in Los Banos.
Freshman Giselle Zamora scored the winning goal with five minutes to play.
The Bulldogs appeared on their way to a losing season prior to reeling off seven straight wins.
Ceres High climbed from eighth to third in the WAC standings
The Bulldogs avenged losses to Pacheco, Los Banos, Lathrop and Beyer.
Ceres High will secure a playoff spot this week with a win against Grace Davis.
