Continuing their tradition of moving players to the four-year level, the Cerritos College men's soccer team has announced that 10 of their players have committed to play at the next level. The sophomores who will be moving on posted a combined 38-6-3 record with two South Coast Conference South Division titles, two conference tournament championships and a pair of berths in the Southern California Regional Playoffs.

"I'm very proud of the guys who have committed so far," said head coach Benny Artiaga. "I have always worked hard to make sure our kids are in a good place. We still have a few left to go, so  we continue to work endlessly to make sure we can get everyone out. It amazes me every year how many players leave ready to compete at universities."

The conference's Defensive Player of the Year, Alfredo Ortiz (Oscar de la Hoya HS/East Los Angeles College), has signed with the University of California-Berkeley, making him the second player in the last three seasons to sign with a PAC-12 school. Gifted offensively as he is defensively, Ortiz scored a pair of goals and assisted on eight others on the year. He was the cornerstone of a defense that allowed a meager 13 goals over the course of the season. Ortiz's twin brother, Raul Ortiz (Oscar de la Hoya HS/East Los Angeles College), another 1st Team all-conference pick, is one of four players transferring to San Francisco State University.

Raul Ortiz started all 23 games and posted one goal and an assist, and was equally as important to the team's defensive success. They were tasked with defending the opposing team's best players and did an incredible job of shutting players down game after game. Joining him up north are defender Johan Duenas (Warren HS), along with midfielders Nathan Garcia (Warren HS) and Michael Rodriguez (Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy HS). Duenas appeared in 21 games, with 20 of them coming off the bench and recorded one asasist. Rodriguez started in 19 of the Falcons 23 games on the year and produced two goals and an assist, which included a goal and assist against Norco College. Garcia was a solid role player who saw action in 13 games and recorded an assist.

Antonio Negrete (St. John Bosco HS), a 2nd Team United Soccer Coaches All-America selection among Division III (non-scholarship) community colleges, as well as a 1st Team all-conference pick, will be playing next season at Cal State San Bernardino. Sharing the team lead in goals (11) on the year, Negrete scored a pair of goals in a game three times on the year and recorded four game-winning goals. He will be joined by freshman Julian Vazquez (Salesian HS), who posted nine goals and three assists while coming off the bench in most games. A 2nd Team all-conference selection, Vasquez scored goals in three straight games and also scored twice against Rio Hondo College and Long Beach City College.

Another 1st Team all-conference selection, midfielder Uriel Sanchez (Servite HS) will be transferring to Hope International University. One of many speedsters on the roster, Sanchez produced four goals and six assists, which included a goal and assist against Long Beach City College and the team's first goal in a 2-0 playoff win against Bakersfield College. Defender Mikel Villarreal (St. John Bosco HS), who started in 20 games and was another key component to the team's defensive success, has signed with Concordia University.

The picture of perseverance, forward Christian Perez (Paramount HS) will get a chance to continue his playing career at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills. A 2nd Team all-conference selection in 2017, Perez (pictured, left) missed three seasons due to injuries, as well as no season in 2020. He received a clean bill of health to play in 2022 and recorded four goals and two assists, which included a goal and assist against both Glendale College and Compton College.

Added Artiaga, who has now sent 114 players on to four-year colleges since 2004, "I would also like to thank our amazing staff for the countless hours they spend helping these young men develop and have the tools to succeed not just in soccer but in life too."