Nation's #2-Rated Women's Soccer Edges #7 Chaffey

Ranked #2 in the United Soccer Coaches national poll, the Pasadena City College women's soccer team withstood the sweltering heat and a battle from #7 Chaffey in a 1-0 victory Tuesday at Robinson Stadium.

The Lancers remain undefeated at 8-0-1 thanks to a goal by Isabela Guerrero three minutes into the second half. Guerrero took a pass from Samantha Shahin and got underneath the Panthers' defense to chip a shot over the head of Chaffey goalkeeper Leila Toki.

PCC goalkeeper Francesca Agliolo made eight saves, the best when she made an outstretched hand deflection off a free kick by the Panthers' Nyomi Rivas just a minute after her team took the lead. She made a seven second-half saves and also got help from the crossbar in the 54th minute on a blast from the 15-yard line by Gisele Speirs.

The team posted its eighth shutout in nine matches. 

The Lancers defense continued to be a strength behind the play of Destiny Delgado and Itzel Nunez. Delgado had to leave with an injury with 14 minutes remaining. 

Charlie Gallardo was also influential and was robbed by Toki on a breakaway attempt just six minutes into the game. Gallardo, Shahin, Guerrero made a number of solid pushes into Chaffey territory. 

"I was proud of our response as we were dealing with the heat, so we had to battle the weather as well as the other team," said PCC head coach Terryn Soelberg. "It was a big help to be able to use our bench so much this game. We're really excited to go into conference undefeated. We're ready for the challenge."

Soelberg played 18 players and received some strong play from reserves in Sydney Esquival, Nadia Aguilar, Alexa Espinoza-Gutierrez and Tatiana Grigoryan.

PCC has a big test to open South Coast Conference play on Tuesday, Oct. 8 in facing visiting Mt. San Antonio College (#20 in the nation). The game has a 1:30 p.m. home kickoff.