Central Valley’s varsity girls soccer program continued its winning tradition during the 2018-19 season by amassing a 17-7-2 overall record, claiming its fourth straight league title and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-II playoffs.

Coach Miguel Larranaga refuses to lower expectations this winter despite being hit hard by graduation.

The Hawks lost six all-Central California Conference performers, including Most Valuable Player Jocelyn Lopez, Defensive Player of the Year Abigail Martinez, first-team picks Mixtly Vega and Jackie Sanchez, and second-teamers Jocelyn Rodriguez and Lillianna Cruz.

  “I really believe in this team,” said Larranaga, who was voted Coach of the Year in the CCC and Western Athletic Conference the past two seasons. “We can make it to playoffs. We’re going to do everything we can to make it happen.”

Central Valley’s top returners are Citlaly Salinas (Sr.), Anusha Kumar (Sr.), Yaira Contreras (Sr.), Malina Keomuangchanh (So.) and Alapdeep Singh (So.).

The Hawks’ top newcomers are Vivian Reyes (Sr.), Adriana Huaracha (Jr.), Alexia Larios (Jr.), Madeline Mendonsa (So.), Yukari Mendoza (Fr.), Angelica Medrano (Fr.) and Michelle Soto (Fr.)

Salinas was selected to the CCC First Team her junior year.

She had two goals and six assists.

Kumar had four goals and four assists.

Contreras had three goals and four assists.

Keomuangchanh had six goals and one assist.

Singh had one assist.

Reyes, Huaracha, Larios and Mendonsa suited up for Central Valley’s junior-varsity squad a year ago.

Reyes was a team captain.

“What I like about this group is the girls enjoy playing the game,” Larranaga said. “They want to get better every day. They’re motivated. By the middle of the season, we’ll be playing better soccer.”

The Hawks will by vying for their fifth straight league title and sixth consecutive playoff berth this winter.

“The other schools want to beat us because we have a very good program,” Larranga said. “They know the history. We have to play every game like it’s our last.”

Central Valley allowed just eight goals en route to claiming the 2018-19 CCC crown with a 10-0-2 mark.

The Hawks placed first in the Western Athletic Conference the previous three seasons. “The pressure is there,” Larranaga said. “We have a new group. We want to win league but that will be very tough. Every game is going to be a challenge. Our first goal is to make it to the playoffs. That would be a great experience for the kids.”