Johnson’s Hat Trick Gives Cerritos Title

by Alyssa Olveda

WALNUT, Calif. – Connor Johnson had a hat trick and was named the tournament MVP as the Cerritos College Falcons won their second state title and first since 2008 in a convincing fashion over South Coast Conference foe Mt. SAC, 3-1, on Sunday morning at Mt. SAC.

Johnson got the Falcons on the board in the sixth minute, heading it in after an Edzon Cuevas shot hit the crossbar.

The two also connected for the game-winner in the 53^rd minute. Cuevas passed a ball through the defense to Johnson who netted his second goal of the game.

Johnson's third goal sealed the game for the Falcons in the 87^th minute. Michael Bautista took a shot which deflected off the Mountie goalkeeper and Johnson was there for the tap in.

Mt. SAC cut the lead to 2-1 in the 59^th minute. Jose Dheming scored his sixth goal of the year. He tapped it in to the right side just in front of the goal on an assist from Danny Moreno.

Cerritos outshot Mt. SAC 11-7 in the first half but the Mounties had many more opportunities in the second half. Dheming led the Mounties with five shots and two on goal.

Ivan Del Campo made four saves in goal for Cerritos. Jorge Becerra made five saves for the Mounties.

This was the second-straight year that Mt. SAC lost in the state championship game. 

State Championship Brackets
[Men][Women]

Photo by Daryl Peterson