Freshman Kobe Chavez (North Hollywood HS) scored a goal in each half to lead the Cerritos College men's soccer team to a 2-0 South Coast Conference win over host Pasadena City College on Friday. The Falcons (12-0-2, 4-0-0), who are ranked #2 in the country by United Soccer Coaches among Division III (non-scholarship) colleges and #1 in the state, remain as the only unbeaten team in the state after their shutout win over the Lancers (7-5-2, 1-3-0). The team will travel to Rio Hondo College (6-5-3, 1-1-1) for a 6:00 p.m. conference game next Tuesday.

"Today was a good win for us, because it's always tough coming off the emotional Mt. San Antonio game," said head coach Benny Artiaga. "We suffered a couple key injuries in (defender) Jaret Rocha (Paramount HS) and (defender) Diego Alvarado (Sierra Vista HS), so I'm very proud that we still kept a shutout and the guys didn't let down."

One thing the Falcons have this season is a deep group of defenders, as well as a stellar pair of goalkeepers. Stepping up on defense against the Lancers were Alfredo Ortiz (Oscar De La Hoya HS/East Los Angeles College), Mikel Villarreal (St. John Bosco HS) and Ernesto Vergara (Bishop Mora Salesian HS), as well as Johan Duenas (Warren HS) and Damian Rodriguez (Warren HS/Eastern (PA) University), while freshman goalkeeper Steven Ruiz (Cathedral HS) turned away all five shots on goal.

Cerritos got on the scoreboard in the 30th minute, as he and Pablo Caparelli (Real Salt Lake Academy, UT HS) teamed up for the first of their two scoring strikes. With Caparelli taking on the Pasadena City defense, he was able to spot Chavez, who ripped a shot from eight yards out for fifth goal of the season and first of the game.

The two paired up again in the 76th minute for an insurance goal, as Caparelli led Chavez to the ball on a lead pass and he finished the play by drilling a shot into the corner of the net.

"Kobe Chavez had a great game with both goals," added Artiaga. "Miguel Martinez (Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy HS) controlled the midfield and Ernie Vergara stepped up for Jarret, which were both critical to the win today.