Opening 2 Matches Learning Time for Women’s Soccer

Due to the wacky power points system that determines postseason seeds for California Community College soccer teams, winning and losing isn’t as important as which team you play, especially in non-conference games. So while the Pasadena City College women’s soccer team went 0-1-1 in the season-opening Ventura Showcase Tournament August 29-30, the Lancers picked up some valuable power points. 

On Friday evening in the team’s opening match at Ventura, San Diego Miramar showed why it was rated No. 6 in the nation last year by dominating a 3-0 victory over the Lancers. The Jets outshot the Lancers, 21-2, and PCC did not make an attempt at the Miramar goal until the 80th minute. Miramar came within an overtime goal last year of making the CCCAA State Tournament final four.

PCC returning starting sophomore goalie Angelique Ulmer made eight saves and second-year defenders Karina Costilla, Danielle Busta, Bailey Shaw-Rodriguez (All-South Coast Conference last year) and freshman Michelle Morales kept the game from being a lopsided score. Costilla especially was strong in stopping Miramar opportunities. Freshman Hillary Kahn came off the bench to play goalkeeper the final 24 minutes and made two saves, including a diving stop.

The Lancers were strong in the final 15 minutes of the match and learned how to battle against Miramar’s more physical style of play. Despite the defeat, the team earned almost two full power points just by playing against Miramar. If the Jets win their conference this year, it will also advantageously affect PCC’s team power points.

On Saturday morning, PCC led 2-0 but had to settle for a 2-2 tie against NorCal opponent Hartnell. In the seventh minute, the Lancers scored goal No. 1 of the 2014 season when freshman midfielder Rachel Schroeder launched a corner kick that was initially knocked away by Hartnell goalie Anissa Stanton. Lancers’ sophomore forward Christine Salas then cradled the rebound and knocked in a close-range shot.

The Lancers made it 2-0 when frosh midfielder Ani Hemelians raced around both a defender and Stanton to tap in a goal in the 42nd minute.

PCC controlled most of the game’s 90 minutes, but twice Hartnell forward Karina Alvarez scored on opportune plays. Right before the halftime whistle, Alvarez dribbled through the PCC defense and beat Ulmer to cut the lead to 2-1. With eight minutes to go, she gave the Panthers the tie on a controversial play in which she appeared to receive a long pass at the top of the goalie’s box while offside. However, no whistle was called and Alvarez scored the tying goal against Lancers’ reserve Kahn.

“We really learned a lot from the Miramar match,” said PCC head coach Reggie Rivas. “I think our freshmen didn’t realize just how physical the college game can be. But we picked up a lesson from that match and applied it to Hartnell. This time, we were the team playing physical and pushing the play from the get go. It will go in the books as a tie, but we played so well against Hartnell. That’s the type of 90 minutes that will result in victories in the future.”

The Lancers next play at Pierce College on Tuesday, Sept. 4 in a 4 p.m. non-conference match.