W. Soccer: Trio earns 1st Team all-conference honors

Ariana Rivera was one of three 1st Team all-conference picks
Ariana Rivera was one of three 1st Team all-conference picks

A trio of Cerritos College women's soccer players earned 1st Team All-South Coast Conference South Division recognition, while three others were 2nd Team selections. The Falcons, who just missed out on qualifying for the Southern California Regional Playoffs, finished in second place in the division. All three 1st Team picks were freshmen and included Ariana Rivera, Jenna Santos and Samara Gonzalez, while the trio of Madi Jones, Deanne Casillas and Genesis Mendoza are all sophomores and two-time selections.

Rivera led the Falcons in goals (9), points (21), shots (62) and game-winning goals (2) on the season. She scored a pair of goals in a game twice and recorded a goal and two assists against Rio Hondo College. As for Santos, she had four goals and three assists, which included goals in two of the last four games on the year. Gonzalez was one of the team's best defensive players and helped neutralize the opposing team's best midfielders. She recorded a goal and assist on the year on offense.

Jones, a 2nd Team selection as a freshman, had one goal and four assists for the Falcons, with three of her helpers coming in conference action. Earning 1st Team all-conference honors as a freshman, Casillas served as the last line of defense for Cerritos and was instrumental in limiting opponents to just one goal in the last six games, with five of them shutouts. Another key defensive player, Mendoza was a 2nd Team pick both seasons with the Falcons. Although she didn't register any points, she helped get the offense going with her defensive play and clearing passes to midfield, where the team developed scoring chances.