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CHS girls soccer team earns measure of redemption with 0-0 draw against CV
Amirrah Cornielle  CVHS
Amirrah Cornielle and Central Valley’s girls soccer team battled to a scoreless tie versus Alyssa Santinalles and crosstown-rival Ceres High on Feb. 11 at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park. - photo by Dale Butler

Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s playoff-bound girls soccer teams closed out the regular season last week.

The Bulldogs earned a measure of redemption with a 0-0 tie against the crosstown-rival Hawks on Feb. 11 at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.

Central Valley shut out Ceres High 2-0 on Jan. 16 at CUSD Stadium.

“I wasn’t surprised with the result,” Bulldogs’ head coach Rudy Jimenez said while assessing his team’s performance during the rematch. “We should have won. The first game, it should have been a tie. The girls were more nervous.”

“Obviously, we wanted to win the game,” Hawks’ leader Miguel Larranaga stated. “Not winning is a little frustrating. The girls tried their best. Ceres High played well. Their goalie was incredible. Their defense was amazing.”

Ceres High improved to 11-6-3 overall and finished second in the Western Athletic Conference with a 9-2-2 record.

Central Valley improved to 19-2-2 overall and placed first in the WAC standings with a 12-1-0 mark.

The Bulldogs extended their unbeaten streak to seven games. Ceres High accumulated five wins and two ties after losing to Central Valley.

The Hawks extended their unbeaten streak to four games. Central Valley collected three wins and one tie during the final three weeks of the season.

Ceres High and Central Valley secured berths to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III and Division-I playoffs, respectively.

“I knew we’d have a good season,” Jimenez stated. “But the girls exceeded what I thought they would do. I’m proud of all of them.”

“I’m proud of the girls for giving it their all and winning league,” said Larranaga, whose team previously competed in the Central California Conference. “They deserved first place.”

Bulldog Braidynn Mott totaled eight saves while excelling at goalkeeper versus the Hawks.

Defenders Melanie Lopez, Brianna Luna, Malina Castrejon and Evelyn Navarro also filled key roles in helping Central Valley secure its ninth shutout of the season.

“Our goalie and defense did amazing,” Jimenez said. 

Hawk goalkeeper Magnolia Tavizon made one save.

Defenders Aaliyah Jauregui, Kenia Acevedo, Ashley Juarez, Gianna Silva and Sophia Garibay helped Central Valley notch its 16th shutout.

The Hawks struggled to finish multiple times on offense against the Bulldogs.

Ceres High’s best scoring chance came during the second half.

Tavizon made a one-on-one save on Ceres High forward Ava Montesdeoca’s close-range shot.

“We dominated the majority of the game,” Larranaga said. “We had at least five clear scoring opportunities. We just didn’t finish. That’s been an issue all season against good teams.”

The Sac-Joaquin Section released playoff brackets on Feb. 12.

Surprisingly, WAC-champion Central Valley was awarded the No. 14 seed in the 16-team Division-I bracket.

Ceres High was awarded the No. 13 seed for Division-III.

The Hawks barely made the playoffs despite winning 19 games and claiming a conference title during the regular season.

“I was a little disappointed,” Larranaga said. “We proved we had a good team. I thought we would host the first playoff game, especially with the record we have. But it is what it is.”

“Next year, we’ll play against teams from Sacramento and other areas during the preseason,” he added. “They (Sac-Joaquin Section) believe the level of soccer around here is not as good. For some reason, they (teams from Sacramento and other areas) get a better ranking.”

Ava Montesdeoca
Ava Montesdeoca and Ceres High’s girls soccer team competed against Central Valley this past week. - photo by Dale Butler