2008 STATE CHAMPIONS

'Celebration of Life' Flyer

01-24-12 - Four men's soccer players ink with four-year colleges
In what is becoming an annual tradition, the Cerritos College men's soccer team has announced that four of their gradated sophomores have signed with four-year universities, while two more are weighing their options. The Falcons, who had just six sophomores on the roster, have now sent 49 players to four-year colleges since 2004, with 25 of them coming in the last three seasons. Heading the list is defender Jaime Cano (Animo HS), who has signed with Division I Cal State Fullerton, while defender Alejandro Covarrubias (Bell HS) has inked with Cal State University Dominguez Hills. Originally committed to UCLA, Covarrubias was unable to meet the Bruins academic requirements, and will play for the Toros. The duo of forward Aaron Macedo (South Gate HS) and midfielder Juan Ochoa (Paramount HS) have both signed with Cal State Los Angeles.

Cano was named 1st Team All-South Coast Conference and was one of the anchors of the Falcon defense that posted a 17-3-2 record on the season and finished ranked #10 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Cano joins a Cal State Fullerton team that posted a 7-7-5 record last season and compete in the Big West Conference. He will be part of an experienced back line with the Titans next season...[more]

12.14.11 - Soccer teams end season ranked nationally
Heading into the Southern California Regional Playoffs, both the Cerritos College men's and women's soccer teams were considered to be favorites to advance to the state championships. The men were seeded #2, while the women, who were ranked #1 nationally, held the top seed for the post-season. However, both teams were upset in their first game of the post-season, subsequently ending their seasons. Despite their early exit, both programs were ranked in the top 10 in the final poll of the season by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for Division III (non-scholarship) colleges...[more]

11.22.11 - Second half goal enough to upset Falcons
At the start of the 2011 season, the Cerritos College men's soccer team had high hopes of doing well and making a run at their third state championship in school history. After the Falcons finished second in the South Coast Conference, and held the #3 ranking in the country, they embarked on the post-season as the #2 seeded team in the Southern California Regional Playoffs. A first round bye meant the team would have 12 days off between games, which appeared to show itself, as the Falcons were upset by #7-seeded Golden West, 1-0 on Tuesday. Cerritos wasn't shorted on chances to score, but came up short every time they pressured the Rustler (13-5-4) defense. Golden West will now advance to the third round, where they will face the winner of the game between #3-seeded Santa Barbara City College and #6-seeded Rio Hondo College.

"Honestly, we didn't come out with a lot of energy today," said a disheartened head coach Benny Artiaga. "It just comes down to having so much youth on the team and their inability to maintain the flow of a game from start to finish. I think some of the guys came in already looking at the state championships and failed to realize that we had several tough games in front of us before we reached that point."..[more]

11.21.11 - Seven players earn all-conference honors
As the Cerritos College men's soccer team prepares to compete in the Southern California Regional Playoffs, seven of their players have been rewarded for their play in South Coast Conference action. The Falcons, who were seeded #2 for the playoffs, finished in second place in conference action and boast a 17-2-2 record. Heading the list is sophomore defender Alejandro Covarrubias (Bell HS), who was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year. He was joined on the 1st Team All-SCC squad by sophomore goalkeeper Danny Lizama (Duarte HS), sophomore defender Jaime Cano (Animo HS) and sophomore defender Gabriel Rivera (California HS). Named to the 2nd Team were sophomore midfielder Juan Ochoa (Paramount HS), freshman midfielder Danny Garcia (Artesia HS) and freshman midfielder Gerardo Soto (Salesian HS).

For Covarrubias, who was a 1st Team All-SCC pick as a freshman, he helped anchor a defense that recorded eight shutouts, while using his powerful leg to score four goals and assist on two others. Lizama, who started his Falcon career by going 20-0-2, is 16-2-2 on the year and has posted a 1.18 goals against average. He has been in net for Cerritos for all but 145 minutes this season. Joining Covarrubias in the back row, Cano and Rivera have been crucial to the team's success, while Cano has scored once and assisted on another...[more]

11.15.11 - Cerritos seeded #2 for playoffs
If the Cerritos College men's soccer team is going to win their third state championship in school history, they've already taken one step forward, as the Falcons were seeded #2 for the upcoming Southern California Regional Playoffs. After finishing in second place in the South Coast Conference behind top-seeded Mt. San Antonio College, Cerritos (17-2-2) has earned a bye in the first round, which is awarded to the top two seeded teams in the playoffs. In the second round, the Falcons will host the winner of the #7-seeded Golden West College (11-5-4) game against #10-seeded San Bernardino Valley College (14-3-3), which will be played on Saturday. The second round game will take place at Cerritos on Tuesday, November 22...[more]

11.10.11 - Team ends regular season with tie
After already securing second place in the South Coast Conference, the Cerritos College men's soccer team concluded their regular season with a 1-1 tie at East Los Angeles College. The Falcons, who remained ranked #3 in the country this week, are now 17-2-2 on the year and finished 11-2-1 in SCC play. They will now wait to see where they will be ranked for the Southern California Regional Playoffs, with the first round scheduled for Saturday, November 19. The top-two seeded teams in the 14-team field receive a first round bye. The seeding meeting will be held at Fullerton College at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 15 to determine the selection and seeding of the teams. The Falcons are currently #2 in the Southern California power rankings, which helps determine the selection of the seeds...[more]

11.08.11 - Falcons bounce back after loss
With their chance at winning the South Coast Conference right in front of them, the Cerritos College men's soccer team saw that opportunity become very slim after their 3-0 loss to Mt. San Antonio College last Friday. But the Falcons rebounded to post a 4-1 South Coast Conference win at ECC Compton Center on Tuesday to keep them within striking distance of a share of the title with the Mounties. A Cerritos win on Thursday over host East Los Angeles College, coupled by a Mt. SAC tie against Pasadena City College would mean the Falcons would be co-champions. Regardless, the team will be one of the higher seeds for the upcoming Southern California Regional Playoffs, which get underway on November 19...[more]

11.01.11 - Cerritos breaks game open in 5-2 victory
After the first eight minutes of their South Coast Conference game, the Cerritos College men's soccer team had scored a goal on a corner kick and allowed one to visiting Long Beach City College. But the Falcons were able to score twice more in the first half and two more times in less than two minutes in the second half to record a 5-2 win over the Vikings. The sixth win in a row by Cerritos moves their record to 16-1-1 overall and 10-1-0 in the SCC, while LBCC dropped to 6-6-5 and 3-4-3. The Falcons will now travel to Mt. San Antonio College on Friday for a 6:00 p.m. showdown to determine who wins the conference title. Mt. SAC, ranked #1 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) for Division II (non-scholarship schools) is in second place at 9-0-2 in the SCC, while the first place Falcons are ranked #3 by the same association...[more]

10.28.11 - Aggressive attack leads to 5-0 win
Using an aggressive offensive attack, the Cerritos College men's soccer team was awarded a pair of penalty kicks, en route to a 5-0 South Coast Conference win against visiting El Camino College on Friday. The Falcons (15-1-1, 9-1-0) are currently ranked third in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) for Division 111 (non-scholarship) schools. They will now host Long Beach City College at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday in their final regular home game of the season. Cerritos finishes their regular season with three road contests. With the win over El Camino, coupled with the Mt. San Antonio tie with East Los Angeles, the falcons have taken over first place in the conference...[more]

10.25.11 - Falcons post 4-2 conference win
Looking to stay within striking distance of the South Coast Conference championship, the Cerritos College men's soccer team recorded a 4-2 win over host  Pasadena City College on Tuesday. The win improved the Falcons season mark to 14-1-1 overall and 8-1-0 in the SCC, which is good for second place. Cerritos, ranked #3 in the country among Division III (non-scholarship) schools by the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) return home to host El Camino College at 2:00 p.m. on Friday...[more]

10.21.11 - Cerritos dominates Los Angeles Harbor
In one of their most impressive performances all season, the Cerritos College men's soccer team was in complete control over visiting Los Angeles Harbor College on Friday afternoon in their South Coast Conference game. The Falcons posted a 5-0 win to improve their season record to 13-1-1 overall and 7-1-0 in conference play. They will travel to Pasadena City College on Tuesday for a 1:00 p.m. conference game.

"The last two training sessions we have had were the best I've ever seen in my time with Cerritos," said head coach Benny Artiaga. "I told the team in my pre-game game speech that they are on the verge of a great performance, which they showed today against a very good Harbor team. I think there were two things today that were big steps for us as a team. First, we maintained the shutout and when the guys came in off the bench, they brought the same type of intensity as the starters. That approach will really go a long way for us as we progress this season."...[more]

10.18.11 - Team continues winning ways
The Cerritos College men's soccer team knows that there is still plenty of life left in the season, and have refocused their energy on getting back to their winning ways, as they prepare for another showdown with rival Mt. San Antonio College. On Tuesday, the Falcons recorded a 3-1 home win over East Los Angeles College to improve to 12-1-1 overall and 6-1-0 in South Coast Conference play. The win was their second straight after a tough loss to the Mounties, but the team remains on their heels in their quest for the conference title. Cerritos will play their fourth home game on a row on Friday at 2:00 p.m. against Los Angeles Harbor College.

During the season, the Falcons had been getting off to a slow start at home, but broke that trend against the Huskies by scoring twice in the first 20 minutes of the game. Looking to clear the ball, the East LA goalkeeper found freshman Angel Ayala (Cabrillo HS), who quickly fed the ball to sophomore Alberto Lazaro (Huntington Park HS). Lazaro calmly controlled the ball and sent a shot into the upper corner of the net for an early 1-0 lead. The team's second goal was began on a great play by freshman Christian Alvarez (Cabrillo HS), who pushed the ball up the field and found a streaking Carlos Escobar (Roosevelt HS), who lofted the ball over the keeper's head for a goal. The Huskies cut the Falcons lead in half with a late first half goal on a corner kick after a scramble for the ball in the box...[more]

10.14.11 - Falcons rebound with shutout win
After suffering their first loss of the season on Tuesday, the Cerritos College men's soccer team responded with a 4-0 home field shutout of ECC Compton Center on Friday afternoon. The Falcons, who are ranked #3 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of American Division III, improved to 11-1-1 overall and 5-1-0 in South Coast Conference play. They will play their third straight home game on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. against East Los Angeles College, which will serve as the end of the first round of conference play...[more]

10.11.11 - Cerritos suffers rare home defeat
It's very rare for two nationally ranked teams to face each other, as well as being from the same conference. It's also very rare for one player to score four goals in a game. But the biggest rarity is the Cerritos College men's soccer team to lose at home. But on Tuesday, all came into play, as #2-ranked Mt. San Antonio College, led by Edgar Padilla's four goals, defeated the #3-ranked Falcons, 4-1 in a South Coast Conference game. The loss was just the second-ever by Cerritos since they moved to their new field in 2008 and are now 30-2-6 at home. Cerritos (10-1-1, 4-1-0) will now play three more home games in a row, with Friday's 4:00 p.m. game against ECC Compton Center a chance for the team to rebound.

"When we were down 2-1 and missed on those two great opportunities to score, that was a difficult blow," said head coach Benny Artiaga. "We knew we had to be more aggressive after we fell behind, especially when Mt. SAC scored in the seventh minute. But I know that (Mounties head coach) Juan (Sanchez) would have done the exact same thing if the roles were reversed. Bottom line is, they finished their chances and we didn't. But we're not going to define our season by one game and we get another chance at them (November 4) at their place."...[more]
 

10.10.11 - Big game to be broadcast on internet
After the success of their broadcast of the Cerritos College men's soccer home opener, Mike Zepeda of socallcollegesports.com felt that there was enough interest to warrant broadcasting another game. The biggest game of the regular season for the Falcons is coming up on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. against rival Mt. San Antonio College, with the winner taking over first place in the hotly contested South Coast Conference. Currently, Cerritos (10-0-1) is ranked #4 in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III, while the Mounties (10-0-1) are ranked #3.

"We felt that, with the great response from our broadcast of the emotional home opener, that included their special pre-game ceremony dedicated to their two fallen players, we felt another broadcast was in order," said Zepeda, who provides the play-by-play. "We had such amazing numbers, in terms of hits, that we felt broadcasting such an important game was too good to pass up. The game should be a great battle."

To listen to the game, go to http://www.socalcollegesports.com/

10.07.11 - Danny Garcia scores three times in 5-1 win
Freshman midfielder Danny Garcia (Artesia HS) scored three times to lead the Cerritos College men's soccer team to a 5-1 South Coast Conference win at Long Beach City College on Friday. The Falcons, who are ranked #4 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division II, may have been caught looking ahead to their much-anticipated showdown with Mt. San Antonio College on Tuesday, but they turned a close 2-1 first half lead into a comfortable win. The victory improved the team's record to 10-0-1 overall and 4-0-0 in the SCC, and will host the 10-0-1, 4-0-0 Mounties, who are ranked #3, at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday...[more]

10.04.11 - Falcons remain unbeaten after shutout win
For the third straight game, Cerritos College men's soccer sophomore midfielder Juan Ochoa (Paramount HS) has scored a goal, with two of them being game-winning goals. Last week, he scored the first goal in a 2-1 win over Los Angeles Harbor College and followed that with a go-ahead goal in an eventual 6-1 victory over Pasadena City College. On Tuesday, Ochoa netted the game's only score, as the Falcons defeated host El Camino College, 1-0. The win by the #4-ranked team in the country kept them unbeaten, as they improved to 9-0-1 overall and 3-0-0 in South Coast Conference play. Cerritos will now travel to Long Beach City College on Friday for a 2:00 p.m. conference match.

 "Now that we're in conference play, teams are going to play us tighter and come into the game more motivated than normally," said head coach Benny Artiaga. "Our back line, starting with (defender) Gabriel Rivera (California HS) and goalkeeper Danny Lizama (Duarte HS) were tremendous today. Juan Ochoa's goal was really nice. After (midfielder) Gerardo Soto (Salesian HS) played a great ball, he fed (midfielder) Domonic Escobar (Roosevelt HS), who, in turn, found a wide open Ochoa for the goal. I'm really proud of the way our guys found a way to win."..[more]

09.30.11 - Second half scoring barrage busts game open
Through the first 20 minutes of their South Coast Conference home game, the Cerritos College men's soccer team spent most of their time fighting off the aggressive attack from Pasadena City College. In fact, the Lancers were able to take an early 1-0 lead when Ryosuke Tarui scored on a beautiful kick from 30 yards out, before the Falcons were able to regroup. Once they did, Cerritos was able to tie the game before halftime and then scored five second-half goals to post a convincing 6-1 win. The victory improved the team's record to 8-0-1 overall and 2-0-0, while the Lancers dropped to 6-2-1 and 1-1-0. Cerritos, ranked #4 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA), will now travel to El Camino College on Tuesday for a 2:00 p.m. conference match.

"I don't know what it is, but we seem to start very slowly on our field," said head coach Benny Artiaga. "We knew they have a history of being a physical team, but they were also much quicker than they have been in the past. It caught us off guard for a little while, but once we made some adjustments and reacted a little quicker to the ball, things started to turn around."..[more]
 

09.27.11 - Conference opener ends in a nail-biter
Although the Cerritos College men's soccer team dominated the play against host Los Angeles Harbor College in their South Coast Conference opener on Tuesday, a controversial play near the end of the game made the outcome very interesting. Holding a commanding 2-0 lead into the final five minutes, the Seahawks scored what appeared to be a goal on a hand-ball in the 85th minute. After the officials convened and decided to allow the goal, the Falcons (7-0-1, 1-0-0) had to hold off a hard-charging LA Harbor team to secure the 2-1 victory. Cerritos, ranked #4 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) for Division III schools, will now host Pasadena City College at 2:00 p.m. on Friday in an SCC contest...[more]

09.16.11 - Cerritos remains unbeaten after shutout
The Cerritos College men's soccer team remained unbeaten this season after recording a 4-0 non-conference win at Taft College on Friday. The Falcons (6-0-1) will now get 11 days to rest before they open South Coast Conference play at Los Angeles Harbor College at 2:00 p.m. on September 27...[more]

09.13.11 - Offense at a premium in 5-3 win
So far this season, the Cerritos College men's soccer team has not had any problem scoring goals. Through their first six games, the Falcons have scored 22 goals, which is more than half the 41 goals the team scored all of last season. On Tuesday, the team posted a 5-3 win over Oxnard College, which improves their record to 5-0-1 on the year. Cerritos will to remain unbeaten on the year when they travel to Taft College on Friday for a 3:00 p.m. non-conference game...[more]

09.09.11 - Three second half goals produce win
Off to a slow start, the Cerritos College men's soccer team finally found their groove with less than 20 minutes remaining in the game, and they scored three times to post a 3-1 non-conference home victory over Golden West College on Friday. The Falcons (4-0-1) will now play the next three games on the road, as they travel to Oxnard College for a 4:00 p.m. non-conference game on Tuesday.

Playing against an aggressive Rustler (1-1-1) team that showcased Max Talbert on offense, the Falcons recognized that their opponent appeared to pull back on their aggressive approach, allowing them to make some adjustments. Golden West took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute when Jesus Garcia converted on a penalty kick after Talbert was tackled in the box by sophomore defender Jaime Cano (Animo HS)...[more]

09.05.11 - Falcons remain unbeaten this season
Continuing to ride on the emotions of their season-opening win, where they held an emotional pre-game ceremony, the Cerritos College men's soccer team was able to get away from home for the weekend to compete in the Hartnell Tournament and continue to bond as a cohesive unit. The Falcons were able to go 2-0-1 at the tournament, but did not advance to the championship game. After dispatching of Allan Hancock College, 4-0 in the tournament opener, Cerritos (3-0-1) fought back from a 2-0 deficit to Hartnell College, and wound up tying the game, 3-3. Penalty kicks then determined who would advance to the finals and the Falcons came up short in the eighth round, but rebounded for a convincing 4-1 win over Fresno City College. The team will now return home to host Golden West College in a 1:00 p.m. non-conference game on Friday...[more]

08.30.11 - Cerritos overcomes emotions in 3-0 win
Led onto the field by Bryan Valencia and Kevin Ornelas, the 12-year-old brothers of former Cerritos College men's soccer players Eddie Valencia and Carlos Ornelas, who were tragically killed in an auto accident on August 13 while driving to Kansas Wesleyan University, the Falcons fought through their emotions to post a 3-0 non-conference win over Los Angeles Mission College on Tuesday. It was the season-opener for Cerritos, who hosted a pre-game ceremony for both families that included presenting both families with framed jerseys of the players, as well as flowers to the parents. Cerritos College President/Superintendent Dr. Linda Lacy and head coach Benny Artiaga both shared a few words before a moment of silence to honor the lives of the two.

"This was a very emotional day for everyone involved," said Artiaga, who fought his emotions before the game, but could no longer hold them back at the conclusion of the post-game balloon release on the field. "We tried not to be affected by the pre-game ceremony, but there is a human element you just can't ignore. I thought we would do a better job, but after the first 10-15 minutes of the game, we started to get our game going."...[more]
 

08.26.11 - Falcon soccer game to be broadcast live online
In addition to the ceremony and fund-raising efforts being organized for the Cerritos College men's soccer game on August 30 at 3:00 p.m. against Los Angeles Mission College, it was just confirmed that the game will stream live online at www.socalcollegesports.com. Broadcaster Mike Zepeda confirmed that the game will stream live for those who are unable to attend the game, while the pre-game ceremony and match will also be archived on their website...[more]

08.25.11 - Ceremony set for pre-game soccer contest
There will be many opportunities to help donate to the families of fallen Cerritos College soccer players Carlos Ornelas and Eddie Valencia, when the Falcons open their season on Tuesday, August 30 at 3:00 p.m. against Los Angeles Mission College. The pre-game ceremony will begin at 2:45 p.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early. The two former players were on their way to Kansas Wesleyan University after earning athletic scholarships when they were involved in a traffic accident and lost their lives on August 13. With medical bills beyond the control of the two families, the college, as well as family and friends of both players, have established opportunities to make donations to help offset their bills. Admission to the game is free...[more]

08.19.11 - Sports memorabilia to be auctioned off as a fund-raiser
When tragedy strikes, sometimes there's a ripple effect that stretches from one end of town to the other. But in the case of former Cerritos College men's soccer players Eddie Valencia and Carlos Ornelas, their untimely deaths due to a car accident while they were driving to Kansas Wesleyan University after receiving athletic scholarships, their ripple has stretched world-wide. As a result of the tragedy, the Boston Red Sox, as well as the Liverpool Futbol Club, will be sending jerseys that have been signed by a member of entire team for a silent auction to be held at the Falcons home-opener, which will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30 against Los Angeles Mission College. All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon of the Red Sox will sign a jersey, while an unnamed member of the Liverpool club will sign their jersey. The money collected on the memorabilia will be split between the two families...[more]

08.18.11 - Donations starting to roll in for families
With costly medical bills that have built up due to the untimely deaths of former Cerritos College soccer players Eddie Valencia and Carlos Ornelas, local businesses have begun to step up to try and help with the families expenses. The two players were killed in a car accident on Saturday morning while they were driving to their new school, Kansas Wesleyan University, after earning athletic scholarships. The Falcon soccer program is putting a call out to all local businesses to help with contributions, while several have already stepped up.

08.17.11 - Soccer team to host 'Celebration of Life'
It's always emotional at the start of any athletic season. The time spent preparing for the upcoming season, getting to know your teammates and connecting as a team are some of the things that every squad works on prior to that first contest. But on August 30, there will be a little more on the minds of the Cerritos College men's soccer team  at 3:00 p.m. when they host Los Angeles Mission College. On Saturday, August 13, two former Falcon players who spent two seasons with the team, and received scholarships to Kansas Wesleyan University, decided they were going to drive to their new school and be there in time to start their first day with their new team...[more]

08.15.11 - Cerritos Soccer players perish in auto accident
After finishing their two-year careers at Cerritos College, the trio of Eddie Valencia (Los Angeles Wilson HS), Carlos Ornelas (Warren HS) and Briant Reyes (Downey HS) all chose to transfer to Kansas Wesleyan University - an NAIA school - to continue their education and playing careers. But, on Saturday, August 13, the trio, who were driving together to report to the school on Monday, were involved in a traffic accident in Utah, with Valencia and Ornelas passing away, while Reyes survived. A fourth member of the team, Juan Huerta, who played for the Falcons from 2006-07, decided he was going to fly to Kansas instead of drive with the other three...[more]

02.18.11 - Team announces 11 signings
Over the last six years, the Cerritos College men's soccer team has been one of the state leaders both on the field and in sending their players to the four-year level. Since 2004, the Falcons have played in three state championship games (winning two), while they have been nationally ranked each year. In addition, they have sent 39 players to four-year schools. That number can be changed to 50, with the announcement that 11 players from the 2010 team will be moving on to the four-year level.

Heading that list is Cesar Castillo (Eagle Valley, CO HS), who has signed with Division I power UC Santa Barbara. The Gauchos finished 14-5-3 last year, while they capped their 2010 season with its ninth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship and captured their first Big West Conference Tournament title. With the Falcons, Castillo was a two-time 1st Team All-South Coast Conference selection, while he posted 19 goals and 15 assists in his two seasons...[more]
 

12.15.10 - Falcons finish season ranked #14 nationally
After coming up short in their quest for a third state championship in the last five years, the Cerritos College men's soccer team finished the season ranked #14 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) rankings. The Falcons, who finished the year 11-3-9, were defeated in the 3rd Round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs by eventual state runner-up College of the Canyons. The 2-1 loss was the first home field loss for Cerritos since they moved to their new field and had posted a 27-0-6 record until the setback...[more]