Offense Expected To Rise In 2022; Men's Soccer Opens With 3-1 Win Over COC

Pasadena City College men's soccer head coach Gerry Mora knew what he had by the midway point of the 2021 season. His Lancers were competitive in virtually every game, even v. some of the best South Coast Conference teams. But something was sorely missing--goals.

The Lancers scored just eight goals over their final 12 games, going a dismal 1-8-3, as the lack of finishing by the team's strikers and midfielders became a team weakness.

In 2022, Mora feels he has greatly improved the PCC offensive attack and hopes that goals will come a little more easily. On Friday in the '22 season opener at Robinson Stadium, the Lancers struck quickly and went on to defeat College of the Canyons, 3-1. PCC won its first season opener since defeating Norco, 2-0, in the 2016 first contest. 

In the fourth minute, newcomer striker Esai Matchan (La Serna High) received a lead pass from freshman defender Santiago Rivera (Hoover) and ripped in a shot from the 7-yard line for a 1-0 PCC lead. Canyons would tie in the 23rd minute on a breakaway and 1-timer goal by Joshua Swanson.

Late in the first half, the Lancers really turned up the pressure and it resulted in two goals in the final 1:02 before halftime. Frosh midfielder Jayson Moyopo Tagne (Pasadena HS) took a pass from fellow first-year midfielder Gerardo Ruiz Hernandez and knocked in what proved to be the game-winning goal. Then just before the halftime whistle, returning sophomore midfielder Kareem Browne slipped in another goal following a free kick from the 25-yard line by defender Eric Borja (2020-21 All-LA City Division III selecton from Academia Avance Charter) for a commanding 3-1 advantage.

Physical play from both sides took place in a scoreless second half that included a 35-minute delay when a Canyons player had to be taken by ambulance (the player suffered an injury but is in good condition) from the field following an on-field collision with a PCC player. Lancers starting goalie Kristopher Gutierrez, a returning player from the 2017 Lancers, made a diving save on a penalty kick from Canyons' Jason Nakoud in the 69th minute. Gutierrez finished with six saves over the first 78 minutes while freshman backup netminder Chris Morazan (Schurr HS) had two saves over the final 12 minutes. 

"We have a young high energy team," said Mora, in his fifth season directing the Lancers. "This team keeps working until the last whistle. That's how we were able to get those two quick goals late in the first half."

Mora is high on the potential for both Matchan, who is the son of PCC Police and Safety Chief Steven Matchan, and frosh striker Jose Gonzalez (Baldwin Park HS).

"We have our strikers that can produce in Esai and Jose. Our offense is way better than last year with also speedy players like Brian Asaije (a first-year striker from Nigeria) and Juaning Balmelli (freshman midfielder from Diamond Bar High). Another strong player is Jayson, who can play winger and defender. We have a great sophomore leader in Kareem who is also one our team captains. The other captain is a very experienced goalie we are glad to have returned to our program in Kristopher. Another factor for us is that as good as our strikers are in the offensive territory, they are just as strong on defense in the moment and can transition back quickly."

In the opener, Mora's starting 11 were Gutierrez, freshmen defenders Rivera, Omar Gonzalez (Arroyo HS), and Kevin Marquez (freshman, Glen Wilson HS), Browne, Balmelli, Ruiz Hernandez, Moyopo Tagne, and Osmar Rojas (freshman, Pasadena High)/Anthony Marquez (Eagle Rock) at midfielders with Matchan and Asaije at striker.

PCC's 28-man roster also includes sophomores in midfielder Nicholas Malooley, goalie Nick Padua, and defenders Diego Flores and Edson Zamarron. The rest of the recruiting crop are midfielders in Greg Godelekyan (Marshall Fundamental), Willian Garcia Perez (PUC CALS Early College), Mike Sampson (Loyola), Dominic Avalos (Alhambra), and Titus Medina (San Gabriel Academy), defenders in Angel Nolasco (Roosevelt HS), Edwin Estrada (Sotomayor), Robert Acosta (Arroyo), and Jordy Aviles (Claremont).

The Lancers next play at Southwestern College on Thursday, Sept. 1 in a 2 p.m. non-conference game. PCC starts the SCC schedule on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Los Angeles City College in a 7 p.m. evening contest.