Men's Soccer Prepares For Another Hard Race For South Coast Rule
The South Coast Conference men's soccer race has always featured a highly-skilled, physical and entertaining brand of play. The 2023 season should be no different as teams will jockey for the coveted titles in the North and South Divisions.
Currently, El Camino and Cerritos Colleges appear to be early candidates for the SCC South, won last year by the Falcons. Mt. San Antonio once again will battle Rio Hondo after the two teams shared the SCC North crown in 2022.
SOUTH DIVISION
El Camino (4-1) was ranked #6 in the CCCSIA Top 20 Rankings, released this week. The Warriors scored in double digits, the most since 2012, in an 11-1 win over Cypress on Sept. 12. State-leading goal scorer Marvin Gamez scored the hat trick to give him nine goals already in just five games. ECC also routed Moorpark 9-1 as its potent offense has outscored opponents by a whopping 28-5.
Unranked Cerritos (4-3-1) recovered from an 0-3-1 start to win four straight, including three shutouts over LA Harbor (non-conference meeting), Imperial Valley and LA Pierce. Donovan Perez has five goals to pace the Falcons.
Long Beach City (3-2-1) was rated #19 on the sports information poll and also have a nifty scorer in Kayvon Monfared, who has five goals thus far.
LA Harbor (2-4) is coming off a 2-1 win over Allan Hancock on Wednesday. Mark Zarate has been an early Seahawks leader on offense and scored the game-winner in that match.
Compton (2-2-2) won two straight after a slow start and feature two All-SCC Second Team returners, including defender Daniel Quezada.
NORTH DIVISON
Mt. SAC (2-1-4) has had a start that has it fit to be tied---four draws already in seven games, but have the respect of pollsters coming in at #9 in the state top 20. The Mounties defense has been stellar of late, allowing only two goals in a 2-0-3, 5-match undefeated streak. Offensively, Victor Fregoso has four goals.
Rio Hondo (1-3-1) is trying to get back on track, but has a solid 2-2 tie v. #3-ranked Norco while goalie Diego Bastias made 10 saves in a 4-1 win over Santa Barbara City.
Pasadena City (2-2-1) tied #7 Glendale, 2-2, and return All-SCC Second Team scorer Osmar Rojas, who scored the tying goal in the final few minutes in that game.
East Los Angeles (3-2-1) had a 3-match win streak stopped by Orange Coast and return All-SCC First Teamer Adrian Macias.
Los Angeles City (2-4) is trying to stop a 3-match losing string, but played well in a 3-2 loss to Glendale and a 2-1 defeat v. #5 San Bernardino Valley. The Cubs have a solid performer in letterman Armando Villegas, who had key goals in the team's wins over Sequoias and LA Pierce.
The 9-game, SCC round-robin schedule begins for all teams in October. The division titles and an automatic playoff spot is insured with the most points earned (three for a victory, one for a tie) despite only playing once v. all teams and only four games v. its own division opponents.
The squads then participate in the annual SCC Tournament at the start of November with the team winning earning the highest seed of conference squads for the postseason.