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SANTA ANA, CA – The Santa Ana College (SAC) men's soccer team defeated Cerritos College 2-1 at Cerritos to qualify for the State Championships held December 7-9 at Fresno Pacific University.
The Dons scored first in the eighth minute when Ruben Ortiz (Katella HS) sent a free kick into a group of players in front of the Cerritos goal. Sergio Arrias came out with the ball and scored to give SAC the early 1-0 lead.
The score remained 1-0 through half time in large part to a save made by SAC goalkeeper Julian Hernandez (Bolsa Grande HS) on a header from Cerritos.
The Falcons tied the game up at 1-1 when a shot by Michael Paz took a weird bounce in front of Hernandez who was not able to stop the ball.
The Dons answered 10 minutes later when Ortiz sent another free kick towards the Cerritos goal, Miguel Cucue (Santa Ana HS) sent a slow shot on goal and the Cerritos goalkeeper appeared to make the save but the ball rolled past him and into the goal giving SAC the 2-1 lead.
Cerritos threatened to tie the game late but Hernandez continued his strong play in goal and turned away several shots including a diving save in the 80th minute.
The Dons return for to the State Championships for the first time since 2005 win they won their second straight state championship. Last season, it was Cerritos that defeated SAC in the second round en route to the state title.
NEXT: Santa Ana vs TBA, Friday, December 7 at Fresno Pacific University |
