Blend Of Key Returners And Newcomers Gives PCC Women's Soccer Good Outlook

In just her second season of directing her Pasadena City College women's soccer team, head coach Terryn Soelberg has the type of roster that many strive for at this level. The Lancers return nine sophomores, including four All-South Coast Conference selections from the 2021 team while adding a solid incoming freshmen crop of 13 players.

The Lancers opened the 2022 season on Friday with a 1-1 tie against Moorpark in a non-conference game played at Robinson Stadium. Sophomore midfielder Olivia Aguilar fed a pass to frosh forward Isabela Guerrero, who rifled a shot from the 18-yard line for the team's lone goal in the 25th minute. 

PCC held the lead for most of the contest but Moorpark managed to pull out the tie when Ariana Jimenez wiggled her way deep into the Lancers goalie box and her second effort play allowed to her score with just two minutes left.

The two squads traded some quality scoring chances although Moorpark turned up the pressure over the final 20 minutes. Midfielder-defender Gabby Morales had a number of high-end plays on offense in the first half. A minute before Guerrero's goal, the letterman All-SCC Second Team selection ringed the cross bar on a free kick from the 26 yard-line, then she was stoned by Raiders' goalie Natalie Romero on a close-range shot from five yards away in the 33rd minute. In the 38th minute, Morales' drive from the 10-yard line was caught by Romero.

Moorpark's best chances came in the 16th minute when PCC starting sophomore goalie Stevie Mancillas made a diving save on a shot by Sofia Frias from the 10-yard mark, in the 29th minute on a sharp stop by Mancillas on a close-range attempt from Zoey Kuhn, and in the 56th minute when Mia Nilson-Aguilar drive from the 27-yard line clinged off the right post. 

"Thought we had a slow start, but found our rhythm before the end of the first half," Soelberg said. "Bella scored a great goal and excited to see what this season has in store for her. We've got a few things to continue to work on but really proud of the season-opening effort."

Team captain Morales is one of five players on the roster who played their prep soccer at Burroughs High in Burbank. Aguilar, an All-SCC First Team returner who scored eight goals and dished out a team-leading six assists last season, is another Burroughs alum as are freshmen in starting forward Megan Schmidt, an All-Pacific League First Team selection, starting defender and All-League Second Teamer Katy Cabral-Sinardi, and forward Athena Vournas, who came off the bench and played 31 minutes in the opener. 

"We're fortunate to have nine returners with a majority of them in starting roles," Soelberg said. "Morales will continue to lead us in the midfield. (All-SCC Second Teamer) Avery Romero will be one of our starting center-backs. She is a very competitive performer and just a strong technical player. We are lucky to have her on the back line."

Another strong returner is All-SCC Second Team defender Angie Alvarado (two goals, four assists and a go-to on corner kicks last year). The rest of the lettermen include starting forward Mia Bedoyan (six goals in '21), speedy forward Devin Zamora (five goals, four assists last season), starting defender Kassie Martinez, and the team's two goalies from last year in Mancillas (14 starts, 63 saves, 2.00 goals against average) and Jesua Garcia (seven starts, 51 saves, 1.89 GAVG). 

"We're pleased to have three goalkeepers this year, two with college experience, and a pretty good freshman in Christina Echeverrie (from Ramona Convent Secondary). All three will be seeing minutes this year."

Mancillas made four saves in the first 45 minutes and Echeverrie made her PCC debut in playing in the second half (one save). 

On her incoming class, Soelberg said: "I expect a lot of goals from Guerrero (Gabrielino) and Schmidt. Both of these ladies are going to be tough for other teams to handle."

The freshman group is rounded out by midfielder Marianna Hernandez (from Alliance Patti & Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy started v. Moorpark), defenders in Stephanie Martinez (Wilson High), Tiana Teets (Temple City), Jacqueline Romero (Alhambra), and forwards in Andrea Sanchez (Monrovia), Karla Sandoval (Montebello), and Brianna Tripodi (La Canada HS). 

The Lancers tie v. Moorpark was the first time Soelberg had a non-win/non-loss decision after 21 games in her first season ended with the team finishing 7-14. It was the first tie by a PCC team since Nov. 1, 2019 in a 2-2 draw v. East Los Angeles College. 

PCC plays at Norco College today (Tuesday, Aug. 30) in a 5 p.m. non-conference game. The Lancers don't begin the SCC schedule until Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Los Angeles City College.