South Coast Still A Power In Men's Soccer: Cerritos Wins '18 State Title

Cerritos College captured the 2018 CCCAA men's soccer state title and in doing so gave the South Coast Conference its ninth state championship in the sport over the last 13 years.

On Dec. 2, the Falcons capped a spectacular 22-1-2 season by rallying with two goals in the last 18 minutes, including the game-winner on a penalty kick by Erick Galliner in the 89th minute, to get past Golden West, 2-1, in the state final match played at Ventura College. Cerritos won its fourth overall state crown and first since 2014. 

Cerritos goalie Jordan Aldama, credited with 22 overall saves in the team's postseason run, was named the tournament MVP. The Falcons reached the finals by defeating City College of San Francisco, 3-2, in the semifinals. 

The Falcons took advantage of two red cards called on Golden West in the second half.

Cerritos returned the state trophy to the South Coast after Fresno City won last year. Mt. San Antonio has the other five state titles by SCC teams earned since 2006. All four of Cerritos' state titles in men's soccer were directed by the same head coach-Benny Artiaga.

Santa Ana (1978), El Camino (1987 and 1992) and East Los Angeles (1990) have the other state championships performed by South Coast member colleges. 

The Falcons, who went undefeated over their last 23 games after losing the season opener against College of the Desert, also finished the year on a 14-game win streak. They were recently proclaimed National Champions for Division III or smaller non-scholarship colleges by United Soccer Coaches. It is the first time that the Norwalk college has been voted best in the nation.