M. Soccer: Team suffers 1-0 upset loss

File Photo: Edwin Corona (30) had a couple of good scoring chances in the Falcons 1-0 loss to Compton
File Photo: Edwin Corona (30) had a couple of good scoring chances in the Falcons 1-0 loss to Compton

Looking to snap a span of two games where they haven't won a game, the Cerritos College men's soccer team was upset by last place ECC Compton Center, 1-0 on Tuesday at home. The Falcons (10-4-2, 6-2-1), who rarely lose at home, now have a loss and tie in their last two home contests, and could drop out of first place in the South Coast Conference for the first time all season. The team will look to right the ship on Friday when they travel to El Camino College for a 1:00 p.m. contest.

Cerritos continually attacked the Tartar (6-8-2, 1-6-2) defense and had several shots hit the post, including one by freshman Edwin Corona (Cathedral HS) at the end of the first half. In the final few minutes of the game, Compton goalkeeper Manuel Leon came up with three big saves, with the biggest coming in the final seconds coming on a shot by freshman Cristian Zuniga (Montebello HS) right before the final whistle.

In their last four games (1-2-1), the Falcons have scored just two goals after a span of four of their previous five games where they found the back of the net at least three times.

Throughout the game, Cerritos was able to get penetration, but after their entry pass, the Tartars were able to either deflect shots on goal or get in front of the final pass before a shot could be taken. Corona saw a late shot get kick saved, with Zuniga taking three attempts at the net in the waning minutes. One was deflected wide, another was just wide of the net and the third was turned away by Leon, who had eight saves. Sophomore Thiago Lusardi (Centro Educational Ramos, Brazil HS) also saw his header go wide.

Compton scored the game's lone goal in the 66th minute when Cruz Cuevas worked his way around two defenders and sent a crossing pass to an unattended Alfred Zuniga, who chipped the ball past sophomore goalkeeper Benito Gonzalez (Long Beach Wilson HS).

Photos by Daryl Peterson