4-Game Win Streak Ends For Men's Soccer

Two games in two days proved too much for the Pasadena City College men's soccer team. Off to its best start since the 2003 season at 6-1-2, the Lancers wilted in the second half Wednesday in allowing four second-half goals in a 5-0 loss to San Bernardino Valley. The game was played at Robinson Stadium.

PCC saw a 4-game win streak snapped as the team was held off the scoresheet for the first time this season and first since Nov. 2 of last year. 

Just before the halftime whistle, SBVC (4-5-1) scored the only goal it would need on a rebound goal by Rolando Lombera. In the second half, the Wolverines opened the flood gates with four scores in the game's final 27 minutes. A header off a free kick by Ebrima Njie made it 2-0. After a hard drive past PCC goalie Kristopher Gutierrez by Quinten Ponsford, San Bernardino added two steals and then cross pass-and-in shots for the last two goals.

The Lancers were stoned by Wolverines goalie Antonio Bataz, who made nine saves. In the 69th minute, left-footed Eric Borja nearly scored for PCC on a drive from the 20-yard sideline that Bataz tipped away from the upper right corner of the crossbar. Osmar Rojas twice sent rockets just wide and Gerardo Ruiz Hernandez header off a Borja corner kick was stopped in the 85th minute. Borja was the Lancers top player with several strong kicks in the offensive zone

On Tuesday, Esai Matchan stole a ball from the centerback defender and scored the game-winning goal with 15 minutes left to give the Lancers a 2-1 victory at Moorpark. Matchan scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season. Juaning Balmelli netted a goal in the 20th minute that gave PCC an early 1-0 lead. Gutierrez made five saves to backstop the victory. Jordy Aviles and Diego Flores were strong as well in the defensive end. 

Coach Gerry Mora's Lancers begin South Coast Conference play on Tuesday, Oct. 4 in a 7 p.m. match under the lights at Los Angeles City College.