No. 6 Cougars Take Care Of No. 3 Cerritos In Second-Round Playoff Game

CERRITOS, Calif. – College of the Canyons freshman midfielder Victor Rodriguez scored two second-half goals on Tuesday afternoon to help the No. 6 Cougars defeat the No. 3 Cerritos Falcons 2-1 in the second round of the regional playoffs.

Rodriguez's goal in the 61st minute stood as the game-winner for the visiting Cougars. His tally was unassisted, as Rodriguez, who notched his third goal of the season, put the ball into the right upper corner. 

The loss is the first ever for Cerritos on its new field. The team has been playing on the field since 2008 and has never lost a game at home. 

The Cougars scored their first goal in the 47th minute. A Cerritos player was called for a foul, which set up a free kick. On the kick, Rodriguez bent the ball around the Cerritos wall, just inside the left post for his second goal of the season.

Keeper Alex Burkevics gave up one goal in the game and tallied five saves. 

COC will now advance to the third round for the second consecutive year. The Cougars will travel to Santa Ana College on Saturday, Nov. 27, at 2 p.m. Canyons has already faced the Dons this season. They lost to Santa Ana, 4-1, on Sept. 21.

Scoring:
                    1st    2nd    F
Canyons        0       2       2
Cerritos         0       1       1
 
Goals:
Canyons: Victor Rodriguez (47th minute; unassisted); Victor Rodriguez (61st minute; unassisted).
Cerritos: Rene Hernandez (55th minute; Juan Ochoa assist).
 
Shots on Goal:
Canyons:  7 Shots
Cerritos:  8 Shots
 
Keeper Saves:
Canyons:  Alex Burkevics - 5 Saves
Cerritos:  Jhovany Hernandez - 5 Saves