For the second year in a row - and third time in six years - the Cerritos College women's soccer team concluded their season ranked #1 in the country. The Falcons captured their second straight CCCAA State Championship on Sunday in Sacramento with a 3-0 win over Santiago Canyon College. Two days later, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) released their final ranking among Division III (non-scholarship) schools and listed Cerritos #1 in the country.

"This is awesome for Cerritos College and the soccer program," said head coach Ruben Gonzalez, who had led the Falcons to each of their titles. "We're humbled by this honor and it was a great season for us. Everyone on the team and staff worked hard all year and this is the end result of those efforts."

With the national award, Gonzalez will be traveling to Philadelphia, PA in January to accept the national title trophy - and possibly some extra hardware. Last season, he was named the NSCAA National Coach of the Year, as well as earning the West Region Coach of the Year honor. After such a remarkable season, post-season awards are surely to follow, with the potential for several players to earn All-American recognition.

As a freshman, defender Alyssa Cabral (pictured) was named 2nd Team All-American, while three others have joined her for nomination for national recognition this year. Last year, sophomore Lauren Nanez was contender for National Player of the Year and earned 1st Team All-American recognition. It's more than likely that one or more player could earn All-American honors, while a national player of the year award could be garnered by a Cerritos player.

"We're very happy with our success, but recruiting for next season has already started," added Gonzalez.