Huge Win for PCC Women’s Soccer Over Previously Undefeated Mt. San Jacinto

With the South Coast Conference schedule beginning next week, the Pasadena City College women’s soccer team found itself in an unusual must-win situation Friday evening. The Lancers 1-3-2 start this year had not done much for their power points, a rating based on a team’s entire season body of work that determines postseason playoff berths.

The Lancers went up against undefeated Mt. San Jacinto, a team that had beaten three other SCC squads during its pre-conference play. But playing in front of a few youth teams invited by PCC head coach Reggie Rivas, the Lancers used pressure offense and suffocating defense to down the Eagles, 1-0, at Robinson Stadium.

Pasadena (2-3-2 overall) outplayed Mt. San Jacinto (5-1-1) in a 0-0 first half, then struck for the game’s only goal just two-plus minutes into the second half. Rachel Schroeder lined a corner kick that Christine Salas ended up knocking in for the goal off her chest.

Both teams had strong opportunities over the final 30 minutes. The Eagles nearly tied it with six minutes left but Lancers’ defender Michelle Morales blocked a point-blank shot by Kaylee Wolever. PCC goalkeeper Angelique Ulmer made six saves overall for the shutout.

“We knew we had to find a way to offset Mt. San Jacinto’s physical style,” Rivas said. “So we kind of went old-school soccer by pressing them immediately. We pushed the play and kept the ball on their half of the field. When they were in our territory, our defenders did a great job of marking their top forwards and clearing out. It was a great game, but a bigger win for the program. ”

PCC’s defenders corps of Morales, Bailey Shaw-Rodriguez, Karina Costilla, and Danielle Busta constantly won ball battles with MSJC players to keep the Lancers out of danger. On the offensive side, midfielder Schroeder and forward Ani Hemelians were able to create plays and were a big part of why PCC controlled the first 50 minutes.

The Lancers take their mini, 2-match home winning streak into their SCC opener Tuesday, Sept. 30 v. El Camino College-Compton Center. Kickoff is 3 p.m. at Robinson Stadium.

Game Box at link:

http://www.cccaastats.org/sports/wsoc/2014-15/boxscores/20140926_k2eg.xml