M. Soccer: Extra time goal gives Cerritos 2-1 win

File Photo: Ernesto Vergara scored the game-winning goal in extra time
File Photo: Ernesto Vergara scored the game-winning goal in extra time

Playing in extra time against host Taft College on Tuesday, Cerritos College sophomore Ernesto Vergara (Bishop Mora Salesian HS) scored to give the Falcons a 2-1 non-conference win. The victory over the Cougars keeps the Falcons unbeaten at 6-0-2, while they handed Taft (4-2-0) their second consecutive loss and are now 4-0-3 in their last seven meetings. Cerritos will host San Diego Mesa College at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.

Trailing 1-0 in the second half after allowing a goal in the 24th minute, sophomore Jaret Rocha (Paramount HS) completed a beautiful offensive push by the Falcons, as freshman Julian Vazquez (Bishop Mora Salesian HS) fed a lead pass to Alfredo Ortiz (Oscar De La Hoya HS/East Los Angeles College). Keeping the play going, Ortiz found Rocha, who picked up his second goal of the season.

As the game extended into extra time, Cerritos had one last chance to score. Ortiz, who played his best offensive game of the season, got the ball to Vergara, who scored his first goal of the year. Both Falcon goals were scored by defender.

"This was an outstanding win today," said head coach Benny Artiaga. "After Tony (Antonio Negrete) made that accidental mistake (that led to the Taft goal), the team came together and applied some serious pressure. Our defenders held tough and scored, as well. Jaret Rocha was outstanding, and so was Kobe Chavez (North Hollywood HS)."

Freshman Juan Pablo Camacho (Norwalk HS) played the first half in goal, with freshman Steven Ruiz (Cathedral HS) earning the win, as he took over for the second half.