Men’s Soccer: Long Beach knocks off No. 5 nationally-ranked Mt. SAC 3-2

Sophomore Robert Burgos (Millikan HS, pictured center) scored a pair of goals to help lead the Long Beach City College men's soccer team to a 3-2 upset win over visiting Mt. San Antonio College on Tuesday at LBCC.

Mt. SAC entered the contest ranked No. 5 in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Junior College Division 3 (non-scholarship) national poll as well as No. 3 in the California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA) state rankings.

Mt. SAC (12-3-3, 8-3-0 SCC) jumped ahead early thanks to a goal by Misael Osorio in the eighth minute. Long Beach got the equalizer in the 24th minute when Burgos bent a free kick from 25 yards out past Mounties goalkeeper Alfredo Barajas for his first goal.

Then midway in the second half, Burgos converted a penalty kick in the 55th minute to put the Vikings up for good. Five minutes later, freshman Joel Atilano (Artesia HS) ripped a shot from 30 yards out to give the Vikings a much-needed insurance goal and a 3-1 advantage.

The Mounties got a header goal from Luis Arrellano three minutes into added time to get within one, but the Viking defense was able to withstand the late Mt. SAC attack to preserve the win.

Freshman goalkeeper Kifi Cabrera (Poly HS) posted five saves for Long Beach while Barajas also had five saves for Mt. SAC.

LBCC, now 6-6-6 overall and 3-5-3 in South Coast Conference play, returns to action on Friday (Nov 8) when it hosts rival Cerritos College in a 3 p.m. SCC game.

Photo by Chris Ruiz