Forward Luis Gonzalez scored the only goal of the game to lead the Cerritos College men’s soccer team to its 1-0 victory over rival Mt. SAC to win the state title for the second time in the last three years, Sunday afternoon at College of the Canyons.

“Mt. SAC prepared us for the playoffs,” head coach Benny Artiaga said. “The Mounties pressured us for four games this season and playing them made us a better team.”

Gonzalez led the Falcons with led the team in goals throughout the season and that continued in the playoffs.

He was awarded the MVP of the tournament after the game.

“Cerritos is lucky to have a player like Gonzalez, he might be one of the best players in the country,” Artiaga said.

On the goal, Gonzalez kicked the ball across the front of the net and appeared to be going in when Mt. SAC defender George Gonzalez slid to keep the ball out but instead inadvertently kick the ball into his own net.

The game was back-and-forth and very physical without very many fouls being called.

“When you play a team four times in a season, a resentment builds up and games seem to get more physical,” Artiaga said. “But, we still have a lot respect for the Mounties.”

The Falcons finished the season with an overall record of 24-4-1 and won the South Coast Conference.

They were ranked No. 2 in Southern California for the playoffs and Mt. SAC was ranked No. 1 in Southern California.

“We play in the toughest conference in the nation and this game proved why,” Artiaga said.

Mt. SAC finished the season in second in the South Coast Conference with an overall record of 19-5-3.