Long Beach, CA.
Playing for a 3C2A State Championship title berth, the Cuyamaca Coyotes were put on their heels early in the SoCal Final Four contest against the #6 seeded Long Beach City College Vikings. The winner would move onto the California Community College State Men's Soccer tournament and face top-ranked seed from NorCal on Friday December 1st at Mt. San Antonio College.
The Coyotes began the match 'tight'. The usual up-tempo and creative ball movement seen all season was not there. Seven minutes into the game, the Vikings took advantage of the lethargic play of the Coyotes and struck first. Down 0-1, the Coyotes made some adjustments but the Vikings continue to press and control the ball and the clock.
Head Coach Brian Hiatt-Aleu made multiple personnel shifts, attempting to find that combinations of players that would spark the Coyotes and snap the bad dream that was occurring. Whatever the thought, the combination, the swap of players, Coach Hiatt-Aleu found it. In extra time, just before the referee halted play for the half, Austin Barba caught the Viking defensives in a one-on-one situation and called for the ball. Barba rocketed towards the goal with defender in tow. The Vikings tried to shift to counter the move but it is was too late as Barba threw one fake then slid the ball pass the Viking Goal keeper to even the score and head into the half 1-1.
Whatever was said or 'colorfully' discussed at the half, the Cuyamaca Coyotes came out of the team room a NEW TEAM with a recharged energy and sense of purpose. The game was a tale of two halves in which dominating the ball and keeping it away from the opponent was the key.
The Coyotes, playing with new vigor, created multiple scoring opportunities and tested the weakness of the Long Beach goal keeper. However, the Vikings were not completely out of it. They too created some of the best shots-on goal of the game to be stopped by Cuyamaca goalkeeper, #00 Pablo Torres who made saving shot after saving shot. The game clincher came with PCAC MVP, Gerardo Ambriz and his unassisted shot for what would be the winning score in the 58th minute of the game to put the Coyotes up 2-1.
With the win, the #10 ranked Cuyamaca College Coyotes become the #2 seed for SoCal (El Camino College #1 seed for SoCal). Cuyamaca advanced into the state tournament to play the #1 NorCal seed, Santa Rosa College - Bear Cubs, in the state semi-final match on the east soccer field at Mt. Sac's soccer complex. Game time is set for 7:00pm. Winner advances to the state finals on Sunday December 3rd @ 2:00pm.
