An early goal, followed by two more in the span of three minutes, propelled Hartnell College to a 3-2 win over Santa Ana College in a CCCAA State Semifinal Men's Soccer game at Cosumnes River College on Friday afternoon. The win by the #1-seeded Panthers sends them into the state championship game on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. against four-time defending champion Mt. San Antonio, a 2-1 winner over Foothill.

Hartnell's Lorenzo Vasquez got the scoring started less then five minutes into the game when he controlled a loose ball in front of the net after a corner kick and found the back of the net. The Dons tied the game six minutes later on a goal from Uriel Rebollar, but eventually saw Hartnell place two more past goalkeeper Luis Trujillo for a 3-1 lead in the first half. It was a nice crossing pass from Santos Ortiz to Jose Mendoza for a 2-1 Panther lead, with Edgar Prieto taking advantage of Trujillo coming out of the net to play the ball on a corner kick. The initial shot was deflected by Antonio Solis, but Prieto scooped up the loose ball and calmly placed it into the back of the net.

The game was not without its drama in the latter part, as Hartnell's Ivan Manzano received his second yellow card, leaving his team with just 10 players for the final 24 minutes of the game. Santa Ana's Luis Venegas put the game at 3-2 with a header in the 72nd minute to get his team close, while both Leonard Contreras and Danny Fernandez each had great looks at the goal in the waning moments. Venegas also started at an open net when Fabian Narez fell down on the play, but the shot went over the crossbar.

The loss marks the Dons third semifinal loss in as many trips. Since Santa Ana's last State Championship in 2005, the Dons have been bounced in the semifinals in 2007, 2009 and now 2013.

The majority of this story is courtesy of the California Community College Athletic Association and the California Community College Sports Information Association