LBCC Advances to SCC Tournament Final 

Being down two goals to zero, and having only ten players on the field, against No. 1 Mt. San Antonio College, ranked third in the state, and sixth in the nation might seem unobtainable to some, but not the Vikings. Then going down to nine men for the last twelve minutes, plus an additional six minutes of extra-time might seem near impossible. Fortunately, it was the near impossible that Long Beach City College pulled off, coming from two goals down at the half to tie the game in regulation. Going directly to penalty kicks to see who would go to the finals, the Vikings advanced after six kicks with a 5-4 advantage. 

Things got off a bit rocky when an errant pass was picked off by Mt. SAC in minute 17. The Vikings would then foul a player that set up a free kick from 25 yards out. On the kick, that seemed to be going over the goal, the ball dipped at the last possible moment into the net giving the Mounties a 1-0 lead. Two minutes later, they would double their lead off of a counter attack that finished with a first time finish by Alex Mendez for his second goal of the game.  

At the half, Coach Reyes made some player adjustments that seemed to provide an extra spark for the Vikings. Constant pressure was being applied on the Mounties and the Vikings were dominating both possession and the game. Near misses by Diego Albanez (Valley Christian H.S.), Jose Ventura (Anaheim High School), and Jesus Moreno (Millikan H.S.) proved that the game could take a turn for the better for the Vikings. Unfortunately, midfielder Carlos Bahena (Anaheim H.S.) received a second yellow card and the Vikings were then limited to ten men. Even being a man down, they continued to apply pressure. Moreno would then collect a ball from Alejandro Cabello (Millikan H.S.) on the right side of the box, beat two defenders, and send a rocket of a shot into the goal bringing the score to 2-1. Five minutes later, Jonathan Grado (Anaheim H.S.) would cross a ball into the box where Moreno was fouled as he was going for it, creating a penalty kick opportunity. Moreno was decisive about taking the kick, and sent the ball to the keepers left evening the game at two. Minutes later, Moreno would go into a tackle that saw him draw a second yellow, and the Vikings were then forced to play the final 18 minutes a man down. Fortunately, they were able to preserve the tie and send the game into penalty kicks.  

Goalkeeper Oliver Juarez (Downey H.S.) made one save, and saw the last Mt. SAC. Attempt hit the post, earning the Vikings the 5-4 advantage on kicks. Long Beach kicks were converted by Brian Chung (Los Al. H.S.), Miguel Arroyo (L.B. Poly H.S.), Adrian Acevedo (L.B. Jordan H.S.), Albanez, and Bryan Villa (Santee Educational Complex/C.S.U.D.H.). It should also be noted the outstanding defensive effort put in by Acevedo, and midfield job by Arroyo.