Capturing their third straight South Coast Conference South Division title, the Cerritos College men's soccer team swept the divisional awards. Highlighting the awards are freshman Kevin Diaz (Connections Academy HS), who was voted the Offensive Player of the Year, while sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Aldama (North Torrance HS) was named the Defensive Player of the Year. For the second season in a row, and fourth time in his career, Benny Artiaga was named the division's Coach of the Year.
Joining Diaz and Aldama on the 1st Team were sophomores Esteban Camacho (Mayfair HS), Erick Gallinar (Connections Academy HS/UC Irvine) and Oscar Penate (Connections Academy/Cal State Fullerton), along with freshman Ernesto Cueva (Bassett HS). Those voted to the 2nd Team included sophomore Alberto Carrillo (Lynwood HS), along with freshmen Bryan Villalobos (Salesian HS), Bryan Ortega (Cesar Chavez HS) and Eugene Martinez (Delille Academy, Belize).
The team leader in goals (20) and points (55), as well as being second on the team in assists (15), Diaz is one of the main reasons the Falcons have advanced to the CCCAA Fnal Four. The team's starting goalkeeper for two straight seasons, Aldama is a two-time 1st Team selection and has compiled a career 37-1-9 record in his career. He's posted an 0.69 goals against average this year and has made 100 saves. Camacho, another two-time all-conference selection, has been one of his anchors on the back line, along with Cueva. An offensive threat, as well, Camacho has four goals and two assists this season, while Cueva has six goals on his resume. Aldama also scored a goal on a penalty kick and assisted on another goal.
Gallinar, the team leader in assists with 17, has also scored twice this season, including once in the 3-0 win over Santa Monica College that sent the Falcons to the Final Four. Penate has posted three goals and five assists on the year, while Cueva has been great on set pieces and had scored six times and assisted on two other goals.
The trio of Villalobos, Ortega and Carrillo have provided great offensive depth for Cerritos, with Villalobos leading the group with 13 goals in just 16 games. Nine of those goals came in a four-game stretch. Ortega has produced eight goals and four assists, with Camacho posting three goals and three assists. Ortega has scored twice in the postseason, while Carrillo accounted for the lone goal in a 1-0 2nd Round playoff win over Oxnard College. One of the most physical players on the field every game, Martinez has been a great addition to the back row, while he has also contributed four assists.
January 2, 2019
M. Soccer: Defender Javier Cortez signs with four-year school
December 19, 2018
M. Soccer: Pair of Falcons sign with UC Riverside
December 7, 2018
M. Soccer: National awards come the Falcons way
December 4, 2018
M. Soccer: Esteban Camacho signs with Cal State Northridge
December 4, 2018
M. Soccer: Cerritos earns first National Championship
November 30, 2018
M. Soccer: Semifinal win sends Falcons to the championships
November 26, 2018
M. Soccer: State tournament-bound Falcons pick up conference awards
November 24, 2018
M. Soccer: Victory sends Falcons to state Final Four
November 20, 2018
M. Soccer: Overtime playoff win advances Falcons to next round
November 17, 2018
M. Soccer: Rejuvenated Falcons post playoff win
November 13, 2018
M. Soccer: Falcons seeded #1 for the playoffs
November 9, 2018
M. Soccer: Win concludes regular season for conference champs
November 6, 2018
M. Soccer: Ninth win in a row spurned on by second half effort
November 2, 2018
M. Soccer: First half goals enough in 2-0 win
October 30, 2018
M. Soccer: Late goal gives Falcons 4-3 win
October 26, 2018
M. Soccer: Offensive output continues in 6-1 win
October 23, 2018
M. Soccer: Second half offensive explosion leads to 8-1 win
October 19, 2018
M. Soccer: Cerritos shows they can score from any position
October 16, 2018
M. Soccer: Last-second goal propels Falcons to 3-2 win
October 12, 2018
M. Soccer: Nation's top ranked team shuts out Mt. SAC
October 9, 2018
M. Soccer: Draw keeps the Falcons unbeaten in the division
October 5, 2018
M. Soccer: Win sets up first place showdown
September 28, 2018
M. Soccer: Second half goal leads Falcons to conference win
September 25, 2018
M. Soccer: Falcons open conference play with 4-2 win
September 21, 2018
M. Soccer: Slow start for Falcons in 3-1 win over Allan Hancock
September 18, 2018
M. Soccer: Rematch of state semifinal game goes the Falcons way
September 14, 2018
M. Soccer: Road win sets up rematch of state semifinal game
September 7, 2018
M. Soccer: Best scoring chance turns into lone goal
September 2, 2018
M. Soccer: Cerritos puts six on the board in win
August 31, 2018
M. Soccer: Falcons draw with defending state champ
August 28, 2018
M. Soccer: Unbeaten streak snapped with 2-1 loss