For a three-game span of time early in the season, the Cerritos College men's soccer team had difficulty scoring. Even though they were kept off the scoreboard, their stellar defense and goalkeeping allowed them to post shutout ties. Since then, the Falcons have won nine straight games, with the most recent being a 3-0 victory over host Rio Hondo College in a South Coast Conference crossover game on Friday Cerritos (11-0-3) will play another crossover road game when they host Chaffey College in a 2:00 p.m. game next Tuesday.
In recording their state-leading 10th shutout of the season, the Falcons were able to get an early goal, which allowed them to settle into more of their style of play. They picked up another goal before halftime and then added an insurance goal with less than 15 minutes remaining.
Cerritos got on the board for the first time in the 10th minute when sophomore Luis Garcia (La Habra HS) moved the ball up the middle of the field looking for someone to pass the ball to. He spotted sophomore Oscar Canela (Paramount HS), who was able to strike the ball with his left foot and into the back of the net to get the offense started. Garcia continued to do what he does best... make plays. In the 26th minute, he started the team's second scoring drive when he fed a pass to freshman Christian Perez (Paramount HS), who was fouled. Continuing the play, Perez led a nice pass to sophomore Adrian Becerra (Morningside HS), whose shot cleared the bottom of the crossbar for a goal.
The defense continued to play well and control the play at midfield. They relied on freshmen Luis Lira (La Puente HS) and Eric Payeras (Connections Academy HS), along with sophomore Hector Jimenez (South East HS). Also working hard on both ends of the field were sophomore Guy Carven (National Haitian Student Alliance) and freshman Esteban Camacho (Mayfair HS), while freshman goalkeeper Jordan Aldama (North Torrance HS) recorded six saves in the shutout win.
The Falcons closed out their scoring when Garcia finished a length of the field play. Aldama cleared the ball to midfield, where freshman Carlos Payeras (Lennox Academy HS) connected with Garcia. Taking on a pair of defenders, Garcia was able to get enough distance where he could get off a strong strike that led to his team-leading 11th goal of the season.
December 7, 2017
M. Soccer: Luis Garcia named All-American
December 1, 2017
M. Soccer: Magical season comes to an end after PK loss
November 25, 2017
M. Soccer: Penalty kicks win sends Falcons to state tournament
November 22, 2017
M. Soccer: Playoff win moves team one step closer to Final Four
November 14, 2017
M. Soccer: Unbeaten Falcons seeded #1 for playoffs
November 11, 2017
M. Soccer: Win secures unbeaten regular season
November 9, 2017
M. Soccer: Tie clinches divisional title for the Falcons
November 7, 2017
Cerritos soccer to host Operation Care Package
November 7, 2017
M. Soccer: Offense lights up scoreboard in shutout win
November 3, 2017
M. Soccer: Team plays to scoreless draw
October 31, 2017
M. Soccer: Early goal doesn't slow down Falcons
October 27, 2017
M. Soccer: Slow start rebounds into 4-1 win
October 24, 2017
M. Soccer: Goal in 90th minute gives team 2-1 win
October 20, 2017
M. Soccer: Ninth win in a row supported by shutout
October 17, 2017
M. Soccer: Aggressive attack leads to 3-1 win
October 13, 2017
M. Soccer: Win over rival keeps team unbeaten
October 6, 2017
M. Soccer: First half output puts LA Harbor away
October 3, 2017
M. Soccer: Offensive output leads to divisional win
September 29, 2017
M. Soccer: Team remains unbeaten after 3-1 win
September 26, 2017
M. Soccer: Shutout keeps Falcons unbeaten
September 19, 2017
M. Soccer: Second half goal secures win for Falcons
September 15, 2017
M. Soccer: Dominant performance turned in by Falcons
September 8, 2017
M. Soccer: Falcons record fifth straight shutout
September 3, 2017
M. Soccer: Cerritos plays to second straight scoreless tie
September 1, 2017
M. Soccer: Falcons play to scoreless draw against Hartnell
August 29, 2017
M. Soccer: Defensive effort accompanies offensive support in win
August 25, 2017
M. Soccer First game nets seven goals for the Falcons