by Alissa Olveda, CCCSIA
WALNUT, Calif. – Both games De Anza won to get to the state playoffs went to penalty kicks and both games Mt. SAC won went to double overtime, so it wasn't a surprise when the two met in the CCCAA State Semi Finals that the game was not decided in regulation.
The No. 1 seed from the South, Mt. SAC, advances to its eighth-straight state championship game by eliminating the No. 2 seed from the North, De Anza on penalty kicks, 4-2, Friday night at Mt. SAC.
The Mounties will face South Coast Conference foe Cerritos College for the state title on Sunday at 10 a.m. The Falcons defeated the North's No. 1 seed and undefeated Taft, 1-0 in the second semifinal.
Jorge Becerra made two saves out of four Don attempts in the penalty round to help the Mounties advance.
Jose Dheming made the first PK for the Mounties, followed by a make from Edwin Diaz. Ivan Hernandez had his attempt blocked in the third round by Carlos Mendez. Misael Osorio made his in the fourth and Aldo Magana clinched it in the fifth round with a make.
Becerra blocked Daniel Galvan's shot for the Dons in the first round and Josue Mendoza's shot in the third. The makes for the Dons came from Roy Ortiz in the second round and Connor Kurze in the fourth.
De Anza took a 1-0 lead at the half as Rajaee Delane scored his 16th goal of the year in the 21st minute. He headed the ball in from a nice cross by Ahmed Mohammed.
The Mounties evened the match in the 56th minute. Cristian Robles netted his second goal of the year after a tap from Edgar Murillo on a free kick.
Arshia Aghababazade made six saves in goal in 118 minutes for De Anza before Mendez came in for the penalty kicks.