Starting the second half of divisional play, the Cerritos College men's soccer team played to a scoreless draw with visiting ECC Compton Center on Tuesday. The tie put the two teams in a tie for first place in the South Coast Conference South Division, while the Falcons (7-6-5, 3-0-2) have played one less game than the Tartars. The team will travel to Long Beach City College for a 4:00 p.m. game on Friday.
Although the teams combined for just five shots on goal, both had chances elude them in a game that was extremely physical. Seven cards were handed out, with the biggest blow being a red card to sophomore captain Ivan Vazquez (Fullerton HS) in the final minute of play. The Falcons had just pushed all of their players up looking for a final scoring chance, but when Compton reversed the field and looked to get an opportunity of their own, Vasquez was charged with pulling down the attacking player, which resulted in the card.
In the 88th minute, Cerritos had a great chance at getting the game-winning goal, but sophomore Jose Mora (Norwalk HS) saw his point blank shot from in front of the corner of the goal stopped when Tartars goalie Ignacio Corona stuck out his arm and deflected the ball away.
On a free kick in the 23rd minute, freshman Luis Garcia (La Habra HS) hit the goal post from 30 yards out, while freshman Adrian Becerra (Morningside HS) couldn't control a rebound off an Edwin Corona (Cathedral HS) shot in the 50th minute.
Sophomore goalkeeper Ivan Martin Del Campo (Granada Hills Kennedy HS) had a pair of second half saves, but saw most of Compton's attempts sail high over the net or wide of the cage. The closest chace for the Tartars came in the 67th minute when Cesar Torres tried to shoulder the ball off a crossing pass, but it went wide.
Photos by Daryl Peterson
