Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s boys and girls soccer programs kicked off the conference portion of their schedules in recent weeks.

Central Valley’s girls team improved to 6-8 overall and 2-1 in the Central California Conference standings after edging out Golden Valley and Atwater.

“As long as we win, that’s all that matters,” Hawks’ head coach Miguel Larranaga said. 

Central Valley topped Golden Valley 1-0 on Dec. 14 in Ceres.

“It was a very good performance,” Larranaga said.

Hawk Isabella Gudino accounted for the game’s lone goal.

She converted a penalty kick in the opening half.

“It was pretty even,” Larranaga said. “Golden Valley has always been tough to beat. They have a good program.”

Central Valley rallied for a 2-1 victory over host Atwater on Dec. 12.

The Hawks scored twice in the final 20 minutes to secure the win.

“I was 100 percent confident we’d come back and win,” Larranaga said. “We were dominating the whole game. We got better at finishing opportunities we had.”

Central Valley freshman Aaralyn Jauregui collected one goal and one assist versus Atwater.

Sophomore Anali Mendoza tallied one goal.

Ceres High’s shorthanded girls team dropped to 3-6 overall and 0-2 in the Western Athletic Conference after dropping a pair of games.

The Bulldogs suffered a 1-0 loss while battling the Beyer Patriots on Dec. 13 at CUSD Stadium.

Visiting Lathrop shut out Ceres High 5-0 on Dec. 15.

Central Valley’s boys team secured a split versus CCC competition.

The Hawks dropped to 9-4-1 overall and 2-1-0 in league after falling 5-1 to Golden Valley on Dec. 14 in Merced. 

Alejandro Garcia accounted for the Hawks’ lone goal.

Central Valley posted a 3-0 win over Atwater on Dec. 12 in Ceres.

Ivan Cervantes and Victor Macias both tallied one goal for the Hawks.

Alexis Cervantes, Yahir Perez and Miguel Serrano all had one assist.

Ceres High’s boys team moved to 3-4-1 on the season and 1-1 in the WAC after winning one of its two conference games.

The Bulldogs bested the Beyer Patriots 3-1 on Dec. 13 in Modesto. 

Ceres High dominated possession.

“If you have ball possession, it makes everything easier,” Bulldogs’ leader Gilbert Zamora said.

Enrique Murillo led Ceres High with one goal and one assist.

William Duran and Fernando Galvan both scored once.

Samuel Vargas and Luis Flores both collected one assist.

Ceres High lost 4-2 at Lathrop on Dec. 11.

Flores and Murillo both scored once for the Bulldogs.