SCC As Usual Tough Task For Men's Soccer

An impressive 8-2 record in non-conference play had the state #18 Pasadena City College men's soccer team in good spirits, but the start of South Coast Conference has been a more difficult endeavor. After state #1 Mt. San Antonio ended PCC's 5-match win streak in the South Coast Conference opener on Tuesday, 2-0, #20 Cerritos handed the Lancers a hard-fought, 2-1 defeat on Friday.

Both games were played at Robinson Stadium. 

Against Cerritos (7-2-2, 1-0-1), the Lancers had a number of grade A scoring chances. They finally paid off in the 51st minute. Jose Perez took a corner kick that saw Jeremiah Alomo head a pass to Angel Ballesteros, who in turn headed in his team-leading eighth goal. 

The lead was short-lived as the Falcons tied it five minutes later on a Donovan Perez rebound shot after PCC goalie Rayshon Robert made the initial save of a shot by Jose Lopez. In the 71st minute, it was Cerritos' turn to cash on a corner kick when Jonathan Vivar's drive was redirected in off the head of Perez for the game-winning goal. 

"I'm encouraged because we played really well v. Cerritos after not really pushing Mt. San Antonio in the conference opener," said PCC head coach Francisco Cantero. "It's tough to have two losses in SCC play so far, but if we put the type of effort we did today, I expect us to get back on the winning track."

Alomo, a top freshman defender for PCC this season, frequently broke up Cerritos plays deep in the box.

Cerritos goalkeeper Griffin Welch had several aggressive stops as he came out to challenge PCC's forwards on breakaways. He stopped Ballesteros in the 21st minute, made a diving save on a Diego Lazo attempt in the 63rd minute, stoned Ariel Hernandez on a breakaway in the 79th minute, and preserved the victory for his team when he made a save on a close-range shot by Ballesteros with a minute left.

David Canales hit the inside of the far upper post in the 69th minute for yet another high-end Lancers' scoring chance.

While Welch finished with seven saves, Robert was also outstanding as he made 10 saves, including stopping Adan Gonzalez on a breakaway and making a diving stop on the same player during the second half. 

Robert played well v. Mt. SAC, totaling eight saves. 

Next up for Pasadena is a 6:30 p.m. SCC game at Rio Hondo College on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Roberts with the leaping grab v. Cerritos