STOCKTON – With a scheduling conflict that had Weston Ranch hosting Ceres High during the Bulldogs’ spring break, the teams pushed up the date, but only Weston Ranch was ready to play in a 1-0 win Friday.
The Cougars (2-0 VOL, 5-4 overall) used a first-half goal from Wafa Hafed and stellar play from the keeper position from Mayra Ambriz to stop a Ceres program coming off a big league victory at Sonora.
“Well, I was really pleased with the way our girls played,” Weston Ranch head coach Carlos Gaspar said. “I told the girls that we would have to step it up this game and they really responded.
“Communication is our biggest thing; we have to talk to each other to play well.”
Weston Ranch’s defensive effort was impossible to penetrate, holding Ceres to a handful of shots.
Hafed notched the game-winning goal before the halfway point of the first half. Marisa Bradshaw assisted Hafed’s goal in the 18th minute, keeping the Cougars’ league record unblemished through two matches.
The Valley Oak League’s soccer scene is shaping up to be an interesting scenario. Several teams will be vying for the league championship and one of the three postseason berths. The Cougars plan to be in the mix and their efforts thus far support their lofty expectations.
“I think all the teams in this VOL have a chance to win this thing,” Gaspar said. “As long as they play together, talk amongst each other, any team in this league has a chance.”
Weston Ranch will pick back up on the VOL grind Monday when they travel to Ceres to meet up with the Central Valley Hawks.
The Cougars (2-0 VOL, 5-4 overall) used a first-half goal from Wafa Hafed and stellar play from the keeper position from Mayra Ambriz to stop a Ceres program coming off a big league victory at Sonora.
“Well, I was really pleased with the way our girls played,” Weston Ranch head coach Carlos Gaspar said. “I told the girls that we would have to step it up this game and they really responded.
“Communication is our biggest thing; we have to talk to each other to play well.”
Weston Ranch’s defensive effort was impossible to penetrate, holding Ceres to a handful of shots.
Hafed notched the game-winning goal before the halfway point of the first half. Marisa Bradshaw assisted Hafed’s goal in the 18th minute, keeping the Cougars’ league record unblemished through two matches.
The Valley Oak League’s soccer scene is shaping up to be an interesting scenario. Several teams will be vying for the league championship and one of the three postseason berths. The Cougars plan to be in the mix and their efforts thus far support their lofty expectations.
“I think all the teams in this VOL have a chance to win this thing,” Gaspar said. “As long as they play together, talk amongst each other, any team in this league has a chance.”
Weston Ranch will pick back up on the VOL grind Monday when they travel to Ceres to meet up with the Central Valley Hawks.
— Jagada Chambers
