Central Valley’s boys soccer team fell one win shy of advancing to its ninth Sac-Joaquin Section championship game.

The third-seeded Hawks lost 3-1 to the third-seeded Davis Sr. Blue Devils in the semifinals of the Division-I Playoff Tournament on Feb. 26.

“The score doesn’t show how close the game was,” Central Valley head coach Horacio Garcia said. “It was very competitive. Both teams played with high intensity. They deserved to win. I’m very happy with my players. They gave everything they had.”

The Hawks posted an 18-7-6 overall record and placed first in the Western Athletic Conference with an 11-1-2 mark this season.

Central Valley, which previously competed in the Central California Conference, won its second straight league title and qualified for the playoffs for the 16th time in program history.

The Sierra Foothill League-champion Blue Devils (17-5-2, 11-3-0) lost 1-0 to the Delta League-champion/top-seeded Franklin Wildcats (21-3-1, 11-1-0) in the section finals on March 1.

“We had an excellent season,” Garcia said. “It hurts not reaching our goal, which was making the section finals. But the kids worked really hard. Overall, I’m happy with how far we got. It’s the most talented group I’ve had. It’s a very special group.”

Alejandro Garcia accounted for the Hawks’ lone goal.

Central Valley goalkeeper Osvaldo Cisneros totaled four saves.

The Hawks lost 3-0 to the Blue Devils during the preseason.

Upset-minded Central Valley challenged Davis Sr. in the playoffs.

“I’ve never seen them that focused pregame,” Garcia said. “They were ready.”

The game was tied at 1-1 through the first 40 minutes of play.

Alejandro Garcia evened the score with a penalty kick.

Davis Sr. outscored Central Valley 2-0 during the second half.

The Blue Devils outscored their first two playoff opponents, 12-2.

Central Valley’s Elias Godinez, Fidel Hernandez, Artemio Ortiz and Anantah Sivongxay turned in standout performances on defense versus Davis Sr.

“We were very excited to get a rematch against Davis,” Horacio Garcia said. “We were motivated. We were playing our best fútbol. It was a lot more competitive than the first time. We made them work. They were in a place they hadn’t been the previous two (playoff) games.”

“Unfortunately, we didn’t reach our goal,” he added. “But we continue to make history. This is the second time we’ve made it to the semifinals in Division-I. The first time was a couple years ago.”

Central Valley compiled a 2-1 record on its way to reaching the semifinals of the Division-I playoff bracket.

“Being in the top four is a big accomplishment,” Horacio Garcia said. “We’re playing elite schools. We’re getting closer to that. I want to thank my guys for all the hard work they put in and taking me along this beautiful ride this year. It was very special.”

The Hawks will lose eight players to graduation, including Hernandez, Ortiz, Sivongxay, Alan Alvarez, Alejandro Garcia, Enrique Lopez, Ivan Velasquez and Tahte Yang.

Hernandez, Ortiz, Sivongxay, Yang, Alvarez, Lopez and Alejandro Garcia were starters.

“They’re a very talented group,” coach Garcia said. “They’re going to be heavily missed. I wish them the best.”

As many as 19 players could return to the team next season, including starters Cisneros, Godinez, Diego Ochoa and Jayden Pires.

“They did awesome this year,” Horacio Garcia said. “I’m very excited for the future. The future is bright.”

Central Valley plans to maintain its tradition of excellence.

The Hawks have won 10 conference titles and qualified for the playoffs 16 times the past 17 seasons.

“Central Valley will continue to have success,” coach Garcia said.