M. Soccer: Tie leaves Falcons in first place

File Photo: Thiago Lusardi (10) scored his 17th goal of the season in a 1-1 tie with Long Beach City
File Photo: Thiago Lusardi (10) scored his 17th goal of the season in a 1-1 tie with Long Beach City

Although they were limited to a 1-1 tie with host Long Beach City College on Friday, the Cerritos College men's soccer team maintained first place in the South Coast Conference. The Falcons (12-4-3, 8-2-2, 26 points) are now in sole possession of first place with two games remaining after Los Angeles Harbor College (11-5-1, 8-3-1, 25 points) dropped a 3-1 decision to El Camino, while Mt. San Antonio College (12-3-4, 8-3-1, 25 points) drew with Pasadena City. Cerritos will travel to PCC next Tuesday and then close out the regular season when they host Mt. SAC on Friday.

In the tie with Long Beach City, the Falcons finally drew first blood at 75:21 when freshman Edward Robles (Annenberg HS) sent a free kick toward the goal. Sophomore Thiago Lusardi (Centro Educational Ramos, Brazil HS) leaped high to head the ball past LBCC goalie Kifi Cabrera. It marked the 17th goal of the season for Lusardi, who ranks fourth in the state and second in Southern California.

It only took the Vikings :49 seconds to tie the game, when Alex Martinez scored on a throw-in from Robert Burgos. The ball was placed past the outstretched hands of freshman goalkeeper Thomas Yeandle (Orange Lutheran HS), who made three saves on the day.