NSCAA NATIONAL RANKINGS

The Long Beach City College men's soccer team was greatly rewarded for its big 2-1 win at Taft College on Friday as the Vikings moved all the way to the No. 11 spot in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Junior College Division III (non-scholarship schools) National Poll.

Taft entered the season ranked No. 5 in the NSCAA Preseason National Poll, but that and the blazing 100-degree Central Valley heat in the season opener didn't faze the Vikings. Trailing 1-0 at halftime, freshman Jesse Hernandez' goal tied the game in the 62nd minute and Joel Altilano put in the game-winning goal five minutes later and the LBCC defense held on for the victory.

Long Beach is one of eight California community colleges to appear in this week's national rankings, including conference foes Mt. San Antonio College (No. 2), Los Angeles Harbor College (No. 5), and Cerritos College (No. 18).

The Vikings return to action on Friday (Sep 6) at 4 p.m. when they host Allan Hancock College in their home opener.