Central Valley’s boys soccer program is inching closer to accomplishing a first under fourth-year head coach Horatio Garcia’s guidance.
The Hawks remained atop the Central California Conference standings with Golden Valley this past week after defeating El Capitan and Atwater by a combined score of 9-2.
Ceres High’s undermanned team dropped to seventh place in the Western Athletic Conference and out of playoff contention.
“If we do our job, we should be able to get a share of the title,” Garcia said.
“In reality, we’re not doing bad,” Bulldogs’ head coach Gilbert Zamora stated. “Most of our games have been close. We have a solid team. We have young players.”
Central Valley improved to 17-6-1 overall and 8-1-0 in the CCC with a 6-1 win against third-place El Capitan on Friday in Ceres.
The game was supposed to be played earlier this month but was moved to last week due to poor field conditions as a result of wet weather.
“To be honest, I’m not really surprised,” said Garcia in reflection of the five-goal differential versus the Gauchos. “We’ve been playing our best soccer for the last four to five games. We create a lot of scoring opportunities every match.”
Alejandro Garcia led the Hawks in scoring with three goals during the second meeting.
Andres Guevara, Enrique Lopez and Miguel Serrano all contributed one goal.
“We created lots of chances and capitalized,” Horatio Garcia said.
Alejandro Garcia filled in for Alexis Cervantes, who was sidelined with a knee injury.
Garcia has scored five goals while contributing at striker the last two games. He usually plays left back.
“It’s amazing to have a player like him,” commented Coach Garcia. “He’s been doing a great job for us.”
The Hawks improved their home record to a perfect 6-0-0.
“We’re very strong at home,” Horatio Garcia said. “That’s where we practice and that’s where we feel comfortable.”
“The fans being there to support us is key,” he added. “It gives us an extra boost.”
Central Valley earned a hard-fought 3-1 victory while competing at fifth-place Atwater on Thursday.
The two teams battled to a 1-1 tie in the opening half.
“I liked the perseverance they showed,” Horatio Garcia said. “My kids kept battling. The second half, we started controlling the tempo of the game.”
Alejandro Garcia led the Hawks in scoring with two goals.
Victor Macias added one goal.
Central Valley had three games remaining on its CCC schedule as of Monday.
The Hawks will face last-place Merced on Thursday and fourth-place Patterson on Saturday. Both games will be played on the road.
“If everything goes right, it will be my first league title as head coach,” Coach Garcia said.
Ceres High fell to 5-9-2 overall and 3-6-1 in the WAC standings after losing 3-1 at Johansen on Jan. 22.
The Bulldogs won the first meeting, 3-1, at home.
Ceres High starting midfielders Daniel Cardenas (injury) and Delqui Altunar (sickness) were sidelined during the rematch.
“We had our chances to put the game away,” Zamora said. “We didn’t. They took advantage of our mistakes.”
Luis Flores accounted for the Bulldogs’ lone goal.
He scored from 30 yards out on a free kick as Ceres High and Johansen battled to a 1-1 tie in the first half.
Beyer edged Ceres High 1-0 in the mud and rain on Jan. 24 at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.
The Bulldogs had to change their style of play due to the playing conditions.
“The weather was a factor,” said Zamora, who also commented "we had so many scoring chances."
Cardenas, Altunar and Fabian Montanez (illness) did not play against the Patriots.
“Injuries have been affecting us,” Zamora said. “We were down three men. All three players are very disciplined. They possess the ball.”
The Bulldogs will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Ceres High amassed a 16-6-1 overall record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III Tournament during the 2021-22 school year.
“It’s frustrating,” Zamora said while talking about the Bulldogs’ recent struggles. “But we stick together as a team.”
