Central Valley boys soccer keeps CCC title hopes alive with key win over Golden Valley
The Central Valley boys soccer team’s hopes of claiming at least a share of a Central California Conference title are still intact after a Tuesday night thriller that went down to the wire.
The Hawks (15-6-1, 6-1) hosted Golden Valley, which, entering the match, held the league’s top spot with a perfect 6-0 record and had a 13-1 overall record. The two sides entered the matchup tied with three wins apiece in their last six meetings, but the Hawks lost the last three matches to the defending Division III section champions after being swept last season and losing 5-1 in their first matchup this season Dec. 14.
Central Valley is chasing its first league championship since 2019-20.
In the match between the league’s top two teams, the Hawks attacked early, scoring the first goal and, after a competitive affair, sealing a 4-3 win with a late second-half goal. They handed Golden Valley its first CCC loss while putting themselves in position to finish as league champions.
“It means a lot because of how competitive the kids are,” said Central Valley coach Horacio Garcia. “Last year, they beat us, and this year, unfortunately, we lost 5-1 due to very bad mistakes on our part. They’re one of the top teams in the state and in the section, so I’m very happy to get the win today. They’re gonna make a deep run in the playoffs.”
A dramatic win
Central Valley was on the board within the first three minutes of the match after an Alejandro Garcia goal to take a 1-0 lead, but the Cougars answered back with a pair of goals.
Just before halftime, senior Alexis Cervantes evened the score, avoiding the Golden Valley goalkeeper and a trio of defenders to find the back of the net.
Julio Larranaga gave the Hawks a 3-2 lead in the second half but Golden Valley answered once again, scoring on a penalty kick to even the score. The match remained knotted at 3-3 until about two minutes left in the match, when Diego Ochoa netted the game winner.
“I’m happy that we were able to get the win and finish our participation in the CCC with a win against one of the top teams in the league.” Garcia said.
The Hawks are hoping this is just one of many major accomplishments this season. In order to claim at least a share of the CCC title in their final year in the league before heading to the Western Athletic Conference next year after the league realignment, they have to win out, beating El Capitan, Atwater, Buhach Colony, Merced and Patterson again.
“Everyone’s excited. We just need to finish the season strong and take it one game at a time,” Garcia said. “We know that every game from now on it’s going to be a playoff game. We’re just very eager to get that CCC title for the school, which we haven’t been able to win. We came in second place three years in a row, so I think it’s our turn to make a run for it.”
Tuesday’s win pushes the Hawks one step closer to earning a top seed in the section playoffs, where they are looking to make history. The Central Valley boys soccer program is winless in its seven trips to the Sac-Joaquin Section championship. Last season, the Hawks advanced to the Division I section semifinals. So far, this season they have played in tougher tournaments, competing against some top teams in California from the Sac-Joaquin, Northern and North Coast sections. In winning Thursday’s match, the Hawks — ranked 16th in the section — beat No. 11 Golden Valley.
“That’s only going to be beneficial for us,” Garcia said. “I’ve tried to give my players the opportunity to compete against the best. That’s why we’re here at the end of the day, to compete against the best. If you want to be Division I section champions, you need to beat everyone.”
A star goes down
About midway through the second half, the field fell quiet as Cervantes lay on the ground, holding his left knee.
The Hawks star collided with Golden Valley’s goalie as the two chased a ball in the penalty box. Cervantes was carted off the field with what he hopes is just a hyperextension.
Cervantes is one of Central Valley’s many stars. After each scored once Tuesday, he and Garcia lead the team with three goals apiece. The team has nine players who have at least four assists, led by Yahir Perez’s eight. Three others have seven, Larranaga added an assist to his season total to give him six, and four other players have assisted on four goals apiece this season.
“Most of the goals we have scored have been assisted,” Garcia said. “They haven’t created opportunities on their own, but they have been assisting, so that means that we’re working together very well.”
Cervantes missed the team’s first three matches while playing with his competitive team, MVLA. In that time, Garcia scored six goals and added a pair of assists with a hat trick in a win over Modesto. When the senior joined the lineup, he scored a pair of goals in his second match against East Union. In the past six matches, Cervantes has scored six goals. The pair work well together, putting pressure on the opposing team’s defense to free up themselves and their teammates.
If Cervantes has to miss extended time with his injury, Garcia could lead the charge offensively.
“He was our go-to player,” Garcia said. “At the beginning of the season, when we couldn’t use Alexis, Alejandro did an awesome job ... he was putting in goals left and right. When Alexis came back, I was very happy to have both of them available. When one is not performing, the other one picks up the slack. And today, both of them scored. It’s amazing to have those types of players.”
This story was originally published January 17, 2024 at 11:22 AM.
