Cerritos College Men's Soccer Team Honors Fallen Teammates in Home Opener

 season on Tuesday with heavy hearts.

The home-opener against L.A. Mission on Aug. 30 was unlike any other game in the program's history. Because on this afternoon, the team also held a ‘Celebration of Life’ ceremony and fundraiser in honor of  -- two former Falcons who were killed in an automobile accident just outside of Green River, Utah on Aug. 13.

“We will dedicate this game and season to Eddie, Carlos, and their families,” said head coach Benny Artiaga. 

The two young men were traveling from Southern California to Kansas Wesleyan University where they had received scholarships to play soccer and continue their educations. At about 9:35 a.m., the Silverado truck they were riding in struck the center divider of I-70, flipped over and came to rest on its roof. Both Eddie and Carlos perished in the crash. A third player Briant Reyes, who was also in the truck, survived with cuts and bruises.

Fundraisers in Place in Help Victims' Families

Before the start of the game a visibly emotional Artiaga shared kind words about the two players that were being honored, and urged the fans in attendance to purchase $5 balloons, $10 taco plates, and bid on a silent auction of various sports memorabilia of which the proceeds will go to the mourning families, who also were slated to receive monies from the postgame dinner at DP’s Pizza Pub in La Habra.

Coach Artiaga admitted that when he learned about the death of his two former players, he shut down and didn’t want to talk to anyone. That was until he realized that he had the opportunity to help out the families.

He then began reaching out to his contacts about what had happened and through a stream of social media, the story found itself in front of Boston Red Sox Owner John Henry. Henry sent Artiaga a jersey signed by All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon, and also sent Liverpool Club memorabilia that he owned. MLS clubs the L.A. Galaxy and Chivas U.S.A., also sent the school memorabilia to be auctioned after learning of the tragedy. The auction also included Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers tickets for a game in San Diego later this year, along with Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey, Jr. memorabilia.

In a message to his team Artiaga also said, “Cherish your friends, family, opportunity, and follow in the footsteps of your fallen teammates and brothers Eddie and Carlos.”

Eddie and Carlos Honored Before Kickoff

Just before kickoff the two victims' families were presented with a framed gameday jersey of their sons, while Eddie and Carlos’ little brothers each wore their older brother’s uniform and sat with the team. Artiaga then lead everyone in a moment of silence after the National Anthem in honor of the two young men.

The families also released white doves as a sign of remembrance to their sons and to the game that they both loved to play. The Valencia family also had Eddie’s ashes present at the game and just before taking the field the entire team took time to come by kiss, and touch the urn for luck and to show their respects.

“Mi hijo comía y durmía futbol, (my son ate and slept soccer),” said Eddie’s father Adolfo Valencia. “He loved this game and his teammates, that’s why he had to be here.”

Cerritos Grabs First Win of Season

Cerritos got off to a slow start and didn’t have many early scoring attempts against L.A. Mission, but after some minor adjustments, the team played a hard fought first half but both teams remained scoreless going into half-time. In the 62nd minute of the game, Cerritos with a fast counter strike got on the board as freshman Dominique Escobar scored the season’s first goal. Then in the 73 minute a hard foul from L.A. Mission would grant sophomore Alejandro Covarrubias a penalty kick and another score. Cerritos would go on to win the season-opener 3-0.

Farewell Messages of Love Sent Above

At game's end family, friends, fans, students, and many other athletes from other sports gathered at midfield to release balloons with personal messages written for Eddie and Carlos.

“This whole celebration has been beautiful,” said Alfonso Ornelas, Carlos’ father. “I am very grateful for everything that everyone has done, we (the family) have had a rough time, but this support helps.”

With Sarah McLaughlin’s "In the Arms of the Angel" playing in the background, all the last messages from family and friends were taken by royal blue and white balloons up into the sky with hopes that Eddie and Carlos would receive them. It was a touching moment as the family members, students, and friends embraced over the sight of the balloons disappearing in the distance and shed tears. While most everyone spent that moment together at midfield, coach Artiaga stood under the scoreboard consoled only by his wife as he took a moment alone.

“This is how we (the soccer team), deal with things. We deal with our frustrations and anger on the field. It’s just how athletes deal with things,” he said. 

“I hope we can move on ... not forget because Eddie and Carlos will always be a part of us, but move on. The team has just been through so much these past couple of weeks," Artiaga said. "It was just nice to play a game and honor them with our play.”

To keep up-to-date on future fundraisers for the two young men, join the Eddie and Carlos page on Facebook.

Donations can also be made directly to Wells Fargo account:

"Eddie and Carlos: Celebration of Life" - account #155913464.