Defending champion Mt. San Antonio joins Fresno City, Taft and Cerritos in quest for CCCAA men's soccer title
State Tournament Central (watch, live stats, recaps, photos)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Last year, Mt. San Antonio College was able to win the CCCAA Men's Soccer Championship by outlasting both Taft College (semifinals) and Fresno City College (finals) on penalty kicks. It marked the 11th year in a row the Mounties reached the state tournament and eighth appearance in the championship game, but it was their first title since 2012. This year, three of the four teams are returning to the Men's Soccer Championship, with Cerritos being the lone newcomer.
Unlike the women, three of the four teams have won state titles before, with Fresno City looking for its first championship. Since 2006, only twice has the winner not come from Cerritos, Mt. San Antonio or Taft. This year's final four consists of two teams from both the Central Valley Conference and South Coast Conference.
North #1 – Fresno City Rams
Record: 26-1-6
Central Valley Conference Co-Champions
Head Coach: Eric Solberg
Road to State: Beat Santa Rosa, Beat West Valley
Key Field Players: Johnny Rodriquez 23 Goals and 13 Assists, Manual Lopez 7 Goals
Key Goalie: Andres Castrajon 7 Solo Shutouts, .99 GAA
United Soccer Coaches Ranking: #6
State Championships: None
North #2 – Taft Cougars
Record: 17-4-3
Central Valley Conference Co-Champions
Head Coach: Angelo Cutrona
Road to State: Beat Lassen, Beat Skyline, Beat Hartnell
Key Field Players: Hugo Magana 16 Goals and 7 Assists, Alan Perez 7 Assists
Key Goalie: Brandon Garcia 15 Solo Shutouts, .42 GAA
United Soccer Coaches Ranking: #12
State Championships: 1 (2007)
South #1 Cerritos Falcons
Record: 17-0-6
South Coast South Conference Champions
Head Coach: Benny Artiaga
Road to State: Beat Santa Monica, Advanced on PK's over Golden West
Key Field Players: Luis Garcia 16 Goals and 7 Assists, Adrian Becerra 9 Assists
Key Goalie: Jordan Aldama 9 Solo Shutouts, .56 GAA
United Soccer Coaches Ranking: #1
State Championships: 3 (2014, 08, 06)
South #2 - Mt. San Antonio Mounties
Record: 18-4-3
South Coast North Conference Champions
Head Coach: Juan Sanchez
Road to State: Beat Citrus, Advance on PK's over Irvine Valley, Beat Santa Barbara
Key Field Players: Sam Ponting 13 Goals and 9 Assists, Andre Gamboa 9 Assists
Key Goalie: Edwyn Gutierrez 11 Solo Shutouts, .39 GAA
United Soccer Coaches Ranking: #8
State Championships: 5 (2016, 12, 11, 10, 9)
(David Silverstein, Butte College Athletics)