Fresno City ousts defending champion to make return to men's soccer state championship game
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cerritos
(18-3-4, 5-1-2)
|
0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Fresno City
(16-1-7, 5-1-2)
|
1 | 0 | 1 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cerritos
(18-3-4, 5-1-2)
|
0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Fresno City
(16-1-7, 5-1-2)
|
1 | 0 | 1 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cerritos
(18-3-4, 5-1-2)
|
0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Fresno City
(16-1-7, 5-1-2)
|
1 | 0 | 1 |
Team Stats
| Game Statistics | Cerritos | Fresno City |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 9 (5) | 6 (5) |
| Saves | 4 | 5 |
| Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Corner Kicks | 6 | 1 |
| Offsides | 0 | 0 |
Cerritos
| Game Statistics | Cerritos | Fresno City |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 9 (5) | 6 (5) |
| Saves | 4 | 5 |
| Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Corner Kicks | 6 | 1 |
| Offsides | 0 | 0 |
Fresno City
| Game Statistics | Cerritos | Fresno City |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on goal) | 9 (5) | 6 (5) |
| Saves | 4 | 5 |
| Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Corner Kicks | 6 | 1 |
| Offsides | 0 | 0 |
CUPERTINO - Much as they did in their 2017 state championship run, the Fresno City Rams rode a set-piece goal to a 1-0 win over Cerritos College in a semifinal match of the 2019 CCCAA Men's Soccer Championship Friday at De Anza College.
Michael Vega redirected a Melvin Benitez corner in first-half stoppage time for the eventual game-winner and then the Ram defense stifled the defending state champs for their 10th straight clean sheet, including all three playoff contests.
Cerritos (18-3-4) was in search of its fifth state crown, but was unable to put anything past Fresno keeper Evan Ghimenti, who recorded his 11th shutout in 16 starts this season.
Fresno (17-1-7) faces Mt. San Antonio at 1:30 p.m. in Sunday's state championship. The game is a rematch of the 2017 state semifinal at American River College that was won by the Rams, 2-1.
(Matt Folsom, West Valley Athletics)
