Second-Half Scoring Bonanza Sends Women's Soccer To Another Victory

Things were looking a little shaky a minute into the second half for the Pasadena City College women's soccer team on Friday. Visitor Mt. San Jacinto had just tied the game at 1-1, erasing a first half where PCC controlled most of the ball possession as well as scoring chances. But all the tying goal did was get the Lancers mad.

In a relentless attack from that point forward, the Lancers scored four goals in an 11-minute span and tallied seven unanswered goals to finish off a bizarre 8-1 romp over the stunned Eagles (1-2-1). Once again, the team's offense was propelled by sophomore wizard Katy Coats, who scored the hat trick and added three assists. Coats now has a state-leading 10 goals (and the three helpers) as she has helped PCC to a 3-0 start to the season. 

The Lancers scored just 13 goals all season, but have 19 so far and a remarkable 16 goals in their two matches on the brand new artificial turf surface at Robinson Stadium.

In the 11th minute, Coats opened the game's scoring taking a pass by Monserrat Menendez and depositing a shot inside the left post for a 1-0 lead. MSJC came back when Alyssa Palacios redirected a long ball Tessa Martinez past PCC's second goalie Natali Morales that tied it early in the second half.

The Lancers, who outshot MSJC, 30-11, overall went to work scoring what proved to be the game-winner when Coats fed an on-rushing Kaily Echeverria, who fired a fast roller into the center of the net in the 52nd minute. Less than two minutes later, Jillian Demasi drove a high shot from the 15-yard line to make it 3-1. Emelyn Meza picked up the assist.

In the 61st minute, Coats took a cross in the box from Erica Perez and tapped in her second score. Two minutes later, Sophia Noriega stormed on a breakaway fed Echeverria who was initially stoned by Mt. San Jacinto goalie Lauren Reynolds. Echeverria stayed with the play and immediately kicked in the rebound off Reynolds hands for a 5-1 advantage. In the 80th minute, the scoring run continued as Meza took a pass from Coats and drilled a drive from the 12-yard line off of Reynolds finger tips for a sixth goal.

Less than two minutes later, it was Ashley Rivera scoring in similar fashion on a high liner that deflected off the goalie's hands to make it 7-1. Coats closed out the scoring less than two minutes left on a penalty kick as she fired a shot into the near corner to give her a dizzying eight goals in two home games. She has 21 goals in her career and is already 14th on PCC's all-time points scoring list. She is the 11th Lancer to reach 20 goals in a PCC career.

Echeverria now has five goals while Perez leads the team in assists with four. Alyssa Holt has yet to allow a goal in the three first halves she has played (12 saves). Morales has played well too with 13 saves and three goals allowed in the three second halves.

"To score seven goals in a half is special," said PCC head coach Francisco Cantero. "Being 1-1 with 44 minutes to go, glad our girls settled down and played their game. Could have gone either way with that early goal in the second half by Mt. San Jacinto. Katy is in great form but we have to give credit too to our midfielders in Isabella Gonzalez-Mosqueda, Monserrat, Emelyn and Ashley who are often putting her in great scoring position."

PCC next plays at Norco College (near Corona) on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in a 4 p.m. match.