Although the game was not overflowing with goals, the Cerritos College men’s soccer team managed to put one away against Golden West College, ending the dispute 1-0 in its away game on Friday, Sept. 13.

The goal was conceived by a duet play orchestrated by sophomore midfielder Thiago Lusardi who intercepted a Rustler’s ball. He then sped down the left sideline, brushed off two defenders and crossed the ball into the area where freshman winger Jesus Maciel rolled the spherical into the net.

“We had a great performance, best performance,” head coach Benny Artiaga said. “We played a great game defensively and offensively.”

Golden West was number one in the state last year, but Artiaga was confident in his squad and was not disappointed.

“We look to build off of the win,” Artiaga said. “We have (the) toughest schedule given to us.” The Falcons are on a 4:1:1 game streak and plan to continue to push on with their success.

“I felt like we played great defense,” freshman defender Christian Hernandez said. “Positioning defensively is something I can improve on, but other than that, I had a great game.”

Although sophomore goalkeeper Benito Gonzalez lost his cool in a play by dropping the ball and picking it up again, he said, “I played well and the game was good overall.”

He added, “My team was doing good. (I) just couldn’t get the ball in the net.”

Golden West was given a free kick on the top of the six-yard box. The shot was absorbed by Maciel, preventing a goal in favor of the Rustlers in his game-saving play.

“I felt lots of pressure as an attacker,” Marciel said. “The game was contested heavily and the ball was always challenged, but eventually the opposing defense broke and we scored.”

Cerritos Falcons will make its way north to confront Taft College at 3p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24.