Alvarado, Diaz Key Women's Soccer Comeback

Down 1-0 with 15 minutes left, Juanita Diaz scored off a corner kick by Angie Alvarado to tie it. The duo then hooked up again with Alvarado blasting a laser off a pass by Diaz for the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute as the Pasadena City College women's soccer team rallied past Norco College, 2-1, Tuesday afternoon at Robinson Stadium.

"I'm so proud of the girls for battling back from being down at half and in the second half," said PCC head coach Terryn Soelberg, whose team won its second straight game to improve to 3-5. "I thought Angie had a great game and stepped up when we needed her the most."

Alvarado's defense and ball control have been a big part of the freshman defender's game. But she helped take charge on offense in the final 20 minutes. Alvarado, who scored on a corner kick shot that curved in PCC's last win over Los Angeles Valley, ripped another curving spin ball on a corner. Diaz found the loose ball and quickly pushed it across the line for her team-leading fourth goal. 

On the winner, Alvarado received a pass by Diaz, then took a shot from the right side at the 10-yard line and rifled it over the head of Norco goalie Isabelle Gonzalez. 

The Lancers had not put much offensive pressure on the Mustangs (2-5-1), who had taken a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute when an ill-advised cross by stalwart center back defender Jaqueline Gonzalez was stolen by Daysha Adams right in front of the box and she cashed in a short-range goal. Despite the mistake, Gonzalez was mostly strong in her role and broke up several Norco pushes in Lancers territory. 

In the 57th minute, PCC had its first quality scoring chance as Bertha Guzman 1-timed a cross by Olivia Aguilar that was stopped by the Norco netminder Gonzalez. In the 81st minute, "Jacky" Gonzalez drove a 30-yard free kick that hit the left post. Aguilar drove to the net in the 84th minute but her attempt was turned away by Norco's Gonzalez. 

PCC's second goalie Jesua Garcia made three saves in playing the entire second half as did starter Stevie Mancillas, who played all 45 minutes of the first half. Devin Zamora hustled throughout the contest at forward but was shut down several times by Norco's strong defenders. 

The Lancers host Citrus College in a 4 p.m. game on Friday, Sept. 24 at Robinson Stadium. 

 Angie Alvarado scored the GW goal and had an assist in the Lancers victory.