Cerritos Wins SCC Men's Soccer Tournament Title Over LBCC, 6-3

The Cerritos College men's soccer team scored a season high and needed that type of offensive firepower to hold off Long Beach City College, 6-3, as the Falcons captured the 2021 South Coast Conference Tournament championship on Nov. 12 at El Camino College.

The Falcons (15-4-1) overall earned an automatic playoff qualifier by winning the tourney after they had captured the SCC South Division crown. Cerritos avenged both of its only conference losses by beating Long Beach in the finals after defeating El Camino, 3-1, in the semifinals on Nov. 9. 

Leading 3-2, Cerritos scored what proved to be the winning goal as Armando Ibarra, Jr. took a centering through pass from Alex Rodriguez to drive home a shot in the 60th minute. It was Ibarra, Jr.'s 17th goal of the season placing him tied for third in the state in goals. 

Only seven minutes later, Rodriguez made a steal and got it to Arnold Castillo, who fought through three defenders to feed Orlando Martinez for a 5-2 lead. Cerritos capped a wild flurry with its third goal in a 10-minute span as Martin Velasquez sent a free kick that Enrique Penate headed in for a 4-goal cushion in the 70th minute.

Jonathan Grado had a piece of all three Long Beach scores, finishing with a goal and two assists. For Cerritos, Castillo also contributed a goal and two assists. 

Third Place Final--Mt. San Antonio 3, El Camino 0: Jason Garcia scored two goals and added an assist as the Mounties placed third in the SCC Tournament. Mt. SAC (14-2-2) earned the conference's second automatic qualifier as the champions of the SCC North Division. 

Fifth Place Final--Los Angeles City by forfeit over Rio Hondo: The Cubs scored in the 10th minute on a goal by Felipe Alvarez but a late Rio Hondo goal tied it at 1-1. In a bizarre turn of events, first the referees didn't allow the two teams to follow tourney rules by performing penalty kicks, then it was learned the Roadrunners played an illegal player (had five yellow cards and was supposed to be suspended for the contest). LA City took fifth place in the tourney as a new SCC program in its first year playing men's soccer. 

Seventh Place Final--LA Harbor 3, East Los Angeles 0: Fernando Alejo scored two goals (tied for third in the state in goals with 17) and goalie Oliver Nava made seven saves to record the shutout as the Seahawks celebrated its season-finale victory.

Ninth Place Final--Compton 3, Pasadena City 1: The Tartars won for the first time in 11 SCC games thanks in part to Anthony Pina's penalty shot goal that gave Compton a 2-0 halftime lead.

FINAL SCC TOURNAMENT STANDINGS

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