Short-Handed Men's Soccer's Season Ends In Thrilling, 4-2 Playoff Overtime Loss v. LA City

It appeared the #22 seed Pasadena City College men's soccer team would complete an upset over #11 Los Angeles City, leading 2-1 with four minutes left in overtime. But the Cubs earned a questionable call on a foul in the box, leading to a tying penalty kick goal, then scored twice more to send the Lancers to a crushing, 4-2 loss in Round 1 of the Southern California Regional Playoffs. The game was played deep into the evening Wednesday at LA Valley College.

PCC (10-9-4) was at disadvantage with only 10 players on the field for the last 84 minutes due a red card assessed with nine minutes left before halftime. The Lancers, though, took a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute when Cristian Villegas' free kick on the right side of the box turned into a punch-in goal at the line by Jeremiah Alomo.

The physical contest, which produced 11 yellow cards (eight on LA City) and 27 fouls, was the third time the colleges have met in the past month. 

LA City tied it in the 50th minute on a header goal by Juan Munoz. Solid defense provided by Andre Baktchedjian, Alomo and  Alessandro Diaz helped PCC stay tied 1-1 after 90 minutes. In the first of two, 15-minute overtime periods (non-sudden death), Alomo managed to send a long ball to a breaking Jouseph Contreras, who chipped a shot past LACC goalie Carlos Rodriguez for a 2-1 PCC lead.

Twice, PCC goalie Matthew Gilmore had two big saves to maintain the Lancers lead. In the second OT period, Jose Gomez made several slide tackle defensive plays to keep the advantage. In the 116th minute. LACC got the biggest referee call of the contest that changed the game's momentum.

A foul call in the PCC goalie box resulted in a PK goal by Jorge Gomez that tied it. Just two minutes later, Carlos Ruano headed in a cross for what proved to be the game-winning goal. LACC added a breakaway goal by Christian Morales before the final whistle. 

PCC's heroes in the contest included Josue Villa Zavala, who played 118 minutes, Alomo (goal and an assist in 102 minutes), Reyli Silva, Josiah Lucio, and Villegas who all also played more than 100 minutes. Gomez and Harry Hairipetian came off the bench to supply big plays defensively late in the contest.

"To play with 10 players for most of the game, we showed so much heart and hustle to get as far as we did," said PCC head coach Francisco Cantero. "We came so close to pulling off the win, but LA City is a relentless team and converted in big moments. We had guys going down with injuries and cramps and each time we sent someone new in, they made a play for us. It was a tough end for the season, but can't be prouder of this group." 

LA City (13-4-6) advances to Round 2 to face No. 6 Norco in Round 2 on Saturday. 

Gilmore (seven saves), Alomo (five goals this season), Zavala, Villegas (led team with nine assists), Yahir Gomez, Ronaldo Garcia, and Israel Gonzalez all played their final PCC game as sophomores. The Lancers season had a rough ending after the best start to a season in PCC men's soccer history, undefeated after 10 games (7-0-3).