There are three things you can always count on - death; taxes and a Benny Artiaga-coached team winning a 3C2A State Championship when they reach the finals. On Sunday at Saddleback College, Artiaga and his Cerritos College men's soccer team defeated Hartnell College, 2-1 in double overtime. The Falcons program under Artiaga are now 5-0 when they have played for a state title, as the 2025 championship is added to his other titles in 2018, 2014, 2008 and 2006. 

"When it comes to the finals," stated Artiaga, who just completed his 21st season as the head coach, "I always feel as though we have an advantage. We're a bend but don't break type of team and we really put it all together when it matters the most."

With the game tied at 1-1 and heading into overtime, the tournament's Most Valuable Player earned his award, as sophomore Gustavo Arias (Fairmont Prep HS) scored in the 103rd minute for what would be the eventual game-winning goal. Arias, who scored 10 goals in the final eight games of the season, also scored twice and assisted on another goal in the team's 3-1 semifinal win over Cañada College on Friday.

With the Panthers (18-4-4) on the attack, the Falcons were able to turn them away, with sophomore playmaker Allan Gonzalez (Lakewood HS) grabbing a loose ball and turned upfield. After getting into Hartnell territory, he passed the ball off to sophomore Alejandro Oropeza (Banning HS/Santa Ana College), who drew the defense toward him. Once he got the attention drawn his way, he moved the ball to Arias (pictured, left), who put a move on Panthers goalkeeper Andres Avila and scored into an open net in the 103rd minute.

Hartnell, who had shut out all four of their playoff opponents, had only allowed more than two goals five times all season heading into the championship game.

Cerritos opened the scoring in the game when sophomore William Rodriguez (San Leandro HS/Cuyamaca College) went up and over the defense to score on a header in the 71st minute on a corner kick entry pass from sophomore Christopher Ramirez (Bishop Mora Salesian HS). Rodriguez, who won a state championship last season while playing at Cuyamaca College, broke a scoreless tie, as both teams had difficulty penetrating a tight defense and solid goalkeeping.

"Coach Artiaga and Cerritos gave me a chance and I'm glad I was able to contribute to this championship," stated Rodriguez. "I love Cerritos. They took in a guy who was coming from another program and gave me the opportunity to play. I'll never forget this team or this season."

With the lead and the Falcons defense playing some of their best soccer all season, the Panthers caught a break in the 81st minute when Cerritos was called for a foul in the 18-yard box, which led to a penalty kick. Sophomore goalkeeper Eduardo Enriquez (Linda Esperanza Marquez HS), who had stopped four penalty kicks during the year, was unable to turn away the shot from Edwin Moreno, who tied the game.

"Hartnell knew that after we took the lead, they would have to change things up a bit and be more aggressive," said Artiaga. "I thought we did a good job defending the player while trying to clear the ball out, but the ref saw it differently. But that goal only meant we needed to turn up the heat and not sit back."

The Panthers, who posted 11 shutouts on the year, played a very tight and aggressive defensive game that required the Falcons to play through the extra contact and use their skill and finesse to create scoring chances. After very limited chances in the first half, Cerritos almost made it a 2-0 game just four minutes after the Rodriguez goal, when Hartnell's Julian Espinoza Camacho passed the ball back to Avila, who wasn't anywhere near the ball. He was, however, able to beat Arias to the loose ball, and would have had an uncontested shot if he had won the race.

Enriquez, who made seven saves in the game, came up with several outstanding stops to keep the Panthers off the board. He made a diving save in the 38th minute against Ignacio Aguado-Jimenez and also played a free kick from Esteban Camacho aggressively in the 118th minute and came up with the ball. His core defensive players - Christian Marin (Bishop Mora Salesian HS), Giancarlo Morales (Palos Verdes Peninsula HS) and Joshua Chavez (Ambassador School of Global Leadership HS) - all were superb in the finals.

Photos by Daryl Peterson and Oliver Vasillas