With a 4-0 South Coast Conference South Division win over El Camino College on Friday secured, the Cerritos College men's soccer team is gearing up for another test. The Falcons (8-1-1, 3-0-0), winners of their last eight games, will be hosting second place Long Beach City College (7-2-1, 2-0-1) at 4:00 p.m. with first place on the line. The win over the Warriors (4-3-3, 1-1-2) snapped their six-game unbeaten streak.
Cerritos went ahead early in the game in the ninth minute when freshman Brandon Pelayo (Cesar Chavez HS) scored on a loose ball in the box. The Falcons would add a goal nearly five minutes later when Pelayo dribbled to the endline and cut a pass back to freshman Kevin Diaz (Connections Academy HS) inside the 6-yard box, where he slotted it past Andrew Argueta in goal for his seventh tally of the season.
Less than a minute after the start of the second half, the Falcons added a third goal when freshman Oscar Penate (Connections Academy HS) scored a goal after great passing from both Bryan Rodriguez (St. John Bosco HS) and Bryan Villalobos (Salesian HS). The scoring would close out in the 57th minute after Villalobos scored on a pass from Diaz.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Aldama (North Torrance HS) recorded his fifth shutout in the last seven games, as he made a pair of saves.
"We probably played the best game of the year," said head coach Benny Artiaga. "El Camino was good, but we set the tone with amazing games from Brandon Pelayo and Oscar Penate. Penate absolutely controlled the pace and rhythm of the game and is starting to establish himself as a key figure. Very proud of this group with different guys step up each day. Tuesday we get back Erick Gallinar, so this team is hitting on all cylinders at the right time. Tuesday will be a big game for us."
Photo courtesy of El Camino Sports Information Office