Both attacking midfielder Thiago Lusardi and sophomore defender Alyssa Cabral were well aware heading into yesterday’s matches against Long Beach Community College that it would be one for the books.
“I’ve been hearing this year they have a good team overall, ” Lusardi said. “They actually have three of our red shirts from last year, so they actually have three former Cerritos players.”
The Cerritos College men’s soccer team came out with a 2-1 victory over Long Beach Community College, while the women’s soccer team also came out with a 3-0 shutout win yesterday at away and home games, respectively.
Pitted against old teammates, the men’s team faced almost a duplicate of itself on the pitch.
Being the local rivals of the soccer department, the squad faced a team that has played 11 matches and has scored 16 goals in said matches.
Lusardi was very pleased and confident knowing that the face off was at home.
“We had a really good advantage,” he said.
The midfielder used the home turf to dictate the tempo of the game and directed his players to do so as well.
“We have to play our game (and) stick to the program and move the ball around,” Lusardi said.
Sophomore defender Eusebio Alvarez believes the Long Beach College Vikings are a force to be reckoned with.
“You can’t take them lightly,” Alvarez said. “There is a new rivalry between Cerritos and (Long Beach Community College).”
The next game is against Pasadena City College at home on Friday at 4 p.m.
Before her ACL injury, sophomore goalkeeper Alexis Carrillo faced the Vikings and was well aware of how it could be a tough match.
She noted some key things that the team is lacking.
“Offensively, whatever chances we get to put away the ball. Defensively, we just have to keep it strong like we have doing back there.”
“Before every game, I am definitely prepared,” Cabral said about her performance overall.
She also added how the team can be better, “The whole team has to play defensive(ly).”
Head coach Ruben Gonzalez looks ahead to the Friday away match at Pasadena City College at 3 p.m.
“The goal for us is to win a conference championship and move on to win a state championship,” Gonzalez said. “They are one of our opponents that are in our way to accomplish our goal.”
