Taking on the defending CCCAA State Champion Fresno City College women's soccer team on their home turf Friday afternoon, Cerritos College came away with a hard fought 2-1 win. A meeting of the last six state champions (the Falcons won five in a row from 2012-16), Cerritos scored in the 70th minute to break a tie game and pick up the win over the #1-ranked team in the country by the United Soccer Coaches. The Falcons, ranked #3, are also the top-ranked team in the state, with the Rams (3-1-1) sitting at #2. Both teams entered the game not allowing a goal over six combined games.

Cerritos opened the scoring in the 12th minute when freshman Valeria Corrilo (Dominguez HS) won the ball at midlfield and sent the ball down the right side to sophomore Mia Ramirez (Torrance HS). Taking on one defender, Ramirez dribbled past her and went in alone against Rams goalkeeper Ruby Campa, where she chipped a shot into the net for an early lead. Fresno City, taking advanced of an injury to starting goalkeeper Deisy Rodriguez (Katella HS), who had to come out of the game, tied the contest in the 28th minute. Rodriguez was able to recover and returned to the game three minutes later. But the damage had been done, as freshman Alejandra Velazquez (South Gate HS) was beaten by a shot.

The two teams battled for the rest of the first half and well into the second half. The Falcons had numerous scoring chances, but just couldn't put them away. Sophomore Serena Camacho (Los Osos HS/UC Irvine) led the team with four shots on goal, with the team posting nine on the day. They would eventually get the game-winning goal in the 70th minute, as freshman America Ontiveros (Santa Ana HS) stole the ball, with sophomore Sydney Carr (El Modena HS/UC Irvine) reacting quickly. The pass from Ontiveros put Carr in alone against Campa and she drilled a shot that would be the difference in the game.

The Falcons will continue their all road game pre-season with a 7:00 p.m. game at Ventura College on Tuesday.

Photos courtesy of Fresno City College