Central Valley’s boys soccer team continued its run of success against crosstown-rival Ceres High last week.

The Hawks shut out the Bulldogs 3-0 on Thursday at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.

Central Valley has a head-to-head record of 4-0-0 versus Ceres High since the 2021-22 school year.

“I’m very happy,” Hawks’ head coach Horacio Garcia said. “Being able to maintain that winning streak is very important. The last time we lost to them was four years ago.”

“They scored,” Bulldogs’ leader Gilbert Zamora Jr. said. “We didn’t. That was the difference.”

Central Valley improved to 10-5-6 on the season and remained in first place in the Western Athletic Conference with a 5-0-2 mark.

Ceres High dropped to 6-6-4 on the year and fifth place in the WAC standings (3-4-0).

“When it comes to rivalry games, records don’t matter,” Garcia said. “It’s different than any other games. There’s a lot at stake. The kids don’t want to lose.”

Alejandro Garcia broke out of a scoring slump by accounting for two of Central Valley’s three goals.

“He was a little bit more patient,” Horacio Garcia said.

“He’s a talented kid,” Zamora added. “He’s very aggressive.”

Enrique Lopez tallied one goal.

Jayden Pires and Tahte Yang both collected one assist.

Hawk goalkeeper Osvaldo Cisneros made three saves.

Bulldog goalie Angel Perez had seven saves.

Ceres High competed with a revamped lineup against Central Valley.

Enrique Murillo (injury), Daniel Cardenas (illness) and Fabian Montanez (illness) did not play.

“We had three starters out,” Zamora said. “We had to switch our lineup. We tried to adjust. No excuses. You can’t depend on just one or two players. You have to play as a team.”

Murillo exited the contest early in the first half with a hamstring injury and didn’t return to the game. He totaled 12 goals and two assists while being voted the WAC’s Offensive Player of the Year this past winter.

“I wish he (Murillo) could have stayed in the game,” coach Garcia said. “It would have made it a lot more interesting for both sides.”

Ceres High kept the game close in the opening half.

Alejandro Garcia broke a scoreless tie in the 38th minute.

“The kids were upset at halftime,” Horacio Garcia said. “They knew they could have played better and they did. Overall, it was a competitive game. Ceres High has really improved from last year. They’re more organized.”

“We dominated the first half,” Zamora said. “Our game plan was to play on their side of the field. We had a chance to score. Unfortunately, we didn’t. That would have made a difference.”

Alejandro Garcia extended Central Valley’s lead to 2-0 in the 54th minute.

Lopez accounted for the Hawks’ final goal in the 55th minute.

“We weren’t playing how we usually do in the first half,” coach Garcia said. “It took us a while to settle down because it’s a rivalry game. We attacked the central part of the field and that’s how we were able to score two goals in the second half.”

With the win, Central Valley remained atop the WAC standings.

“We wanted to prevent Pacheco, Livingston and Lathrop from getting closer to us in league,” Horacio Garcia said. “Overall, I’m happy with how we’re doing. I know we can play better.”