Women's Soccer Best Start In 9 Years

When the Pasadena City College women's soccer team won its season opener against West Los Angeles Aug. 25, it was the first time since head coach Reggie Rivas arrived at PCC as an assistant in 2011 that the Lancers won their first match. On Tuesday evening, PCC dominated Glendale, 2-0, and it marked the first 2-0 start by a PCC team in nine years. Both victories were at Robinson Stadium.

PCC was on the offensive for much of the Glendale match, outshooting the Vaqueros (0-1), 20-6. The Lancers were unable to net one until the 49th minute when sophomore Chloe Twitchell followed up an initial breakaway attempt by Angelica De La Cruz and tapped in what proved to be the game-winning goal. Emily Matthiesen was awarded an assist as well as she started the play with a throw-in that freed up De La Cruz. On the last play of the game, Jocelyn Carranza re-directed a long throw-in by sophomore Kelly Youssef to cap the scoring.

Glendale goalie Ana Hernandez made 11 saves, some difficult chances or the score might have been lopsided. For PCC, goalie Lilly Urimieh only had to make one save to record the shutout. 

It was fitting that Youssef picked up a point as she controlled the ball often on both sides of the field. Youssef is a returning player from two seasons ago and has helped the Lancers with her physical play. She is the team's go-to, throw-in specialist as well and has set up several scoring opportunities in the two matches. 

"Kelly really had a great game in the scorching heat," Rivas said. "The defenders as a whole have been our best players in the two wins. Youssef, Twitchell, Alexxis Molinar, and Amanda Avila are shutting down opponents. Very few balls have even reached the box because they just swarm to the forwards. We can transition upfield rather quickly too."

PCC's last win in a season opener was eight years ago against Golden West. The Lancers haven't been 2-0 since 2008. Next up for the Lancers is a road match at Palomar College on Thursday, Sept. 7.