Cerritos Collects 2nd Straight SCC Men's Soccer Tournament Title, Top SoCal Seed

South Division champion Cerritos College edged North Division champ Mt. San Antonio, 3-2, to win its second straight South Coast Conference Men's Soccer Tournament title on Friday at El Camino College.

By winning, the unbeaten Falcons (19-0-2 overall) earned the #1 seed from the SCC in extending their winning streak to 16 matches. Cerritos also earned the #1 seed for the Southern California Regional Playoffs.

A remarkable seven teams from the SCC qualified for the larger 24-team field in this year's regionals. The conference will be represented by four of the top eight seeds, who will have byes in the first round. After Cerritos, El Camino comes in at #3, Mt. SAC #5, and Long Beach City at #6.

In the first round on Wednesday, Nov. 16, #11 Rio Hondo hosts #22 MiraCosta, #18 Los Angeles City plays at #15 Chaffey, and the final seeded #24 East Los Angeles visits #9 Norco.

SOCAL REGIONAL PLAYOFF BRACKET

In the SCC finals, Cerritos, who beat Long Beach, 4-1, in the semifinals, Antonio Negrete broke a 1-1 tie with his 10th goal of the season in the 44th minute. Then Alfredo Ortiz hit the back of the net in the 68th minute for what proved to be the game-winning goal and a 3-1 Falcons lead.

Mt. SAC's Edward Castro, last year's state tourney MVP, scored just a minute later but the Falcons defense shut down the Mounties the rest of the way, led by Ortiz, Ernesto Vergara and goalie Steven Ruiz, who made a big save in the final minute to preserve the victory.

"Great win tonight for our guys", said Cerritos head coach Benny Artiaga. "This really validates what a great season we've had. To finish undefeated and number one in the state in all categories, goals against, goals scored, top power points, strength of schedule and never taste defeat, is amazing." (quote courtesy of Cerritos John Van Gaston's game release).

THIRD PLACE FINAL, Long Beach 3, Rio Hondo 1 at ECC: After the Roadrunners grabbed a 1-0 lead on a Jesus Garcia goal, the Vikings responded with two goals in a 14-minute span in the first half and went on to take third place in the tourney. Leo Sanchez assisted on the first LBCC goal and drove home the game-winner on a 1-timer on a feed by Ryan Franco in the 38th minute. 

FIFTH PLACE FINAL, at El Camino 4, Los Angeles City 1: Sory Keita scored a goal on a 25-yard free kick and added an assist to help the Warriors earn fifth place. Nicolas Magana scored the Cubs' goal.

SEVENTH PLACE FINAL, East Los Angeles 2, at Compton 0: Anco Veigo, who posted a 4-goal game in the tournament's first-round win over Pasadena, scored in the 42nd minute as the Huskies placed seventh at the tourney. Alexis Galindo played well in defeat for the Tartars. 

NINTH PLACE FINAL, at Pasadena City 5, LA Harbor 4: In easily the craziest game of the tourney, heavy rain soaked the Robinson Stadium field as the Seahawks jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first-half thanks to a hat trick by Eliseo (Jaime) Mejia. The rain eventually stopped, but not the Lancers offense as PCC scored four goals in the second half with Esai Matchan completing his 3-goal game with the winner in the 84th minute.

Other SCC Tournament Scores

ROUND 1
Friday, Nov. 4
Game 1--T-#6 Long Beach 0, at #3 El Camino 0, LBCC advanced on penalty kicks, 4-3
Game 2--#4 Rio Hondo 2, #5 Los Angeles City 1
Game 3--#7 Compton 2, #10 LA Harbor 1
Game 4--#8 East Los Angeles 5, Pasadena 2

ROUND 2
Tuesday, Nov. 8
Game 5--at #2 Mt. San Antonio 4, Rio Hondo 1, championship semifinal
Game 6--at #1 Cerritos 4, Long Beach 1, championship semifinals

SCC 2022 TOURNAMENT PLACES: 1. Cerritos, 2. Mt. San Antonio, 3. Long Beach, 4. Rio Hondo, 5. El Camino, 6. Los Angeles City, 7. East Los Angeles, 8. Compton, 9. Pasadena, 10. LA Harbor.