Sanchez Finally Nets Two In Women's Soccer Rout

Andrea Sanchez powered in her first two goals of the season to lead the Pasadena City College women's soccer team to a 7-0 victory over host East Los Angeles on Tuesday. The Lancers remain in second place in the South Coast Conference North Division, now at 7-8-2 overall and 3-3-1 in league play.

In wins this year, the team is averaging five or more goals per contest. However, the Lancers ended a streak of 213 minutes without scoring at all (shut out in two previous games) when Mia Bedoyan received a pass from Stephanie Ramirez and drove in her third goal of the season in the 12th minute at ELAC.

Just five minutes later, Isabela Guerrero put an impressive backspin off her foot and with her back to the net to score off a corner kick by Angie Alvarado that upped PCC's lead to 2-0. In the 39th minute, a Bedoyan steal set up Sanchez for a booming shot into the upper back of the net from the 17-yard line. 

Three minutes into the second half, Gabby Morales sent a perfect cross from the far sideline to a waiting Athena Vournas, who 1-timed a short shot for her fifth goal of 2022. Megan Schmidt and Guerrero connected on passes that set up Olivia Aguilar's upper-net blast from the 9-yard line for her sixth goal.

Aguilar then fed a pass to Sanchez for another long-range goal (16-yard line) before she assisted on Schmidt's team-leading 11th goal on a breakaway to close the scoring in the 87th minute. Schmidt had a busy day as she sent 16 shot attempts at the ELAC goal before connecting on her final attempt. Overall, PCC outshot the Huskies, 39-6.

"Drea is comfortable with her back to the goal and did a great job playing our 9 (center forward) today," said PCC head coach Terryn Soelberg. "She knows how to strike the ball well and it showed with her two goals."

On the team's effort, she said, "Happy that we were able to secure another win as we had battled hard last week without a result in our favor."

Morales now has 10 assists this season, second in the entire 10-team SCC. 

Jesua Garcia (first half) and Stevie Mancillas (second half) combined for the goalie shutout. Early in the second half, Mancillas made a great stop deep in the box on a short-range shot by Yulma Miranda. Athena Vournas again was a defensive dynamo, keeping the Huskies from scoring chances with strong breakups and kickouts.

On Friday, Oct. 28, the Lancers host Sophomore Day at PCC when they face Long Beach City College in a 4:30 p.m. game at Robinson Stadium.