Shutout run gives Fresno City its second state men’s soccer championship

The Fresno City College men’s soccer team beat Mt. San Antonio 2-0 Sunday in Cupertino for the program’s second state championship.

The Rams (18-1-7) scored in the 45th minute on a 25-yard free kick by Alexis Rodriguez, a sophomore from Reedley. They added insurance in the 79th minute when Michael Vega, a sophomore from Central, scored on a 25-yarder from outside the box.

Goalkeeper Evan Ghimenti, a sophomore from Clovis, made it stand up with six saves. Fresno City won all five postseason games by shutout.

In a matchup of top seeds from the North and South, the Rams handed the Mounties (22-1-3) their first loss.

The teams had recent postseason history: Mt. SAC beat Fresno City in penalty kicks for the 2016 state title, and the Rams beat the Mounties in the semifinals en route to winning the 2017 crown.

Fresno City lost in the semifinals last season.

Note: The original version of this story, using information provded by the California Community College Athletic Association, misidentified the second goal-scorer. Michael Vega was identified as the second goal-scorer by Fresno City College coaches.

This story was originally published December 8, 2019 at 4:05 PM.