A strong second half propelled the Cerritos College men’s soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Fresno City College in the championship game of the Hartnell Tournament on Sunday

For the second game in a row, the Falcons were forced to come from behind after an early Rams goal in the 13th minute.

Pressing hard to tie the match, Eddie Valencia found the equalizer in the 42nd minute off a corner kick.

Making his first appearance of the season, Ruben Gonzalez converted a penalty in the 67th minute to give Cerritos the lead, after German Rivas was taken down inside the box. 

Six minutes later, Eddie Valencia had a chance to double the lead from the penalty spot, but missed.

A late strike from Luis Gonzalez in the 81st minute, assisted by fellow captain Timmy Seo, sealed the win for Cerritos.

“I think we actually came in too focused, but we proved that we can play from behind,” head coach Benny Artiaga commented.

“We’d rather take the lead and control the game, but we don’t have to in order to win. That’s something about this group; they know what it takes to win.”

Seo had a different take on the team’s slow start. “I think we have been too easy on some teams. We’ve learned we need to change that.”

“The good thing is we have been able to learn these lessons and still win. Last year we learned from mistakes, but we lost those games,” Seo added.

The win pushes the Falcons’ record to 4-0-1, which has kept them ranked No. 2 in the nation according to the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll.

As well as becoming tournament champion, Cerritos midfielder Fabian Perez was named the tournament’s MVP.

Perez’s hard-nosed defense and ability to control the tempo of the game garnered the attention of both his own and opposing coaching staffs.

“It’s a really good feeling to be named MVP. I just try and control the middle and don’t let anything get through me. Goals and assists aren’t important to me. As long as the team wins, that’s what makes me happy,” Perez said.

Seo, Perez and the rest of the team will have a chance to prove they have learned from their mistakes on Friday, when they play their first home game of the season against Golden West.

Captain Rene Hernandez and, possibly, striker Stephan Mangu will hope to make their first appearance for the Falcons on Friday as well.