W. Soccer: Falcons have three named All-American

File Photo: Itzel Ballesteros was one of three Falcons to be named All-American
File Photo: Itzel Ballesteros was one of three Falcons to be named All-American

In a season where the Cerritos College women's soccer team saw their five-year run as the CCCAA State Champions come to an end, they had three of their players receive All-American recognition. Sophomore Itzel Ballesteros (Maywood Academy HS) and freshman Mia Ramirez (Torrance HS) were named 1st Team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches, with freshman Brianna Yepez (Paramount HS) earned 2nd Team honors. The Falcons concluded the season with a 20-2-1 record, reached the third round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs and were ranked #5 in the country by the United Soccer Coaches.

Ballesteros, who was named 2nd Team All-West Region, All-Southern Region and was voted the South Coast Conference South Division Offensive Player of the Year her freshman year, tied for the state lead with 23 assists to go along with her 12 goals on the year. Most of her passes led to goals by Ramirez, who finished second in the state with 26 goals and 67 points, also added 15 assists. In consecutive games, Ballesteros had three goals and four assists against Compton, followed by a six-assist game against Los Angeles Harbor College. She also had a seven-game stretch where she posted at least one assist.

Yepez, who was also named 1st Team All-State and All-Region, was named the division's Defensive Player of the Year. She scored four goals from her defensive position, and helped the Falcons post the sixth best goals against average (0.43) in the state with 15 shutouts.

As for Ramirez, an All-Region selection, who was named the South Coast Conference South Division Offensive Player of the Year, she started her collegiate career with three goals and two assists against Oxnard College, while posting a five-goal game against Compton. Ramirez also recorded seven multiple-goal games and five matches where she had a pair of assists. Freshman goalkeeper Deisy Rodriguez (Katella HS) was also an All-Region pick after posting an 19-1-1 record with an 0.35 goals against average. She allowed just six goals all season and posted seven complete game shutouts and played a role in six others.

NAME AWARD
Mia Ramirez 1st Team All-American
  1st Team All-Southern Region
  SCC Offensive Player of the Year
  1st Team All-South Coast Conference
Itzel Ballesteros 1st Team All-American
  2nd Team All-West Region
  1st Team All-Southern Region
  1st Team All-South Coast Conference
Brianna Yepez 2nd Team All-American
  1st Team All-State
  1st Team All-Southern Region
  SCC Defensive Player of the Year
Deisy Rodriguez 1st Team All-Southern Region