With a berth in the CCCAA State Final Four on the line, the Cerritos College men's soccer team suffered their first loss of the season, as visiting Mt. San Antonio College came away with a 1-0 overtime decision on Saturday. The Falcons (21-1-2), who were seeded #1, were looking for their third win over the rival Mounties (16-6-2), who were seeded #5. Cerritos was also looking for a return visit to the state championships for the first time since 2019.

The two programs have accounted for 10 state championships in the last 15 years.

The vaunted Cerritos offense was held at bay for 120 minutes and limited to just three shots on goal, while the Mounties scored the game's lone goal just 1:41 into the first of two 15-minute overtime periods. On the play, Edward Castro was able to work his way into space and fed Alex Mendez, who had a clear shot at the net and scored the game's lone goal.

The only real scoring chance for the Falcons came in the 79th minute when freshman Julian Vazquez (Salesian HS) hit the crossbar, while the team was unable to complete the final pass necessary to get a clean shot on goal.

Freshman goalkeeper Steven Ruiz (Cathedral HS) kept the game scoreless with a pair of second half saves during a five-minute span of Mt. SAC offensive pressure. He turned away Andrew Vazquez in the 77th minute and then Mendez in the 81st minute.