Sophomores Velasco, Aslanian Highlight Water Polo

Although the Pasadena City College women’s water polo team is stuck in a 6-game losing streak, the Lancers have seen two sophomores make strides in their performance. Center-forward Stephanie Velasco has once again become a go-to goal scorer, now with 24 goals in eight games while goaltender Alenoush Aslanian proved to be the team’s best player at the recent Cabrillo Tournament.

On Wednesday, the Lancers (1-7 overall) dropped to 1-3 in South Coast Conference play in an 18-7 loss to perennial conference power Long Beach City College at the PCC Aquatic Center. The Lancers trailed 5-3 after one quarter, but ended up losing two starters due to injury and illness during the contest that allowed the Vikings to control most of the last three periods.

Velasco scored four goals for the Lancers while Aslanian made two saves, both outstanding leaping blocks from close range. Also for PCC, utility player Ariahn Givens talied two goals and made a team-high four steals. Long Beach improved to 9-2 and 2-1 in SCC play thanks in part to five goals scored by Catherine Lynch.

In a SCC game played September 24, host Rio Hondo handed PCC a 16-7 defeat. Velasco and Lisa Munoz scored a pair of goals each.

At the Cabrillo Tournament played September 26-27 in Aptos, the Lancers made a season-best 19 steals as Aslanian (pictured in release) was brilliant with 11 saves, including a stop on a breakaway and several close-range attempts, but PCC opened with a 14-10 loss to Cabrillo. Munoz totaled three goals, Givens two goals, four assists and six steals, Velascco two goals and six steals, and Caroline Liu had two goals and three steals.

In the second Friday game, PCC lost a high-scoring 19-13 encounter with West Valley. Aslanian again was outstanding, making 11 saves, blocking three from as close as 1-meter range. Megan Mora scored four goals (five shots) with Velasco and Givens scoring three each. Givens added seven steals and Velasco four. Liu netted two goals.

On Saturday, San Mateo outlasted the Lancers, 17-9. Velasco pumped in four goals and Mora added a goal and three assists. Aslanian made five saves. PCC finished the tourney with a 15-4 loss to San Joaquin Delta despite three more goals by Velasco.

PCC next plays at Chaffey College in a 3 p.m. SCC match on Wednesday, October 8.

Release Date: 10/01/14
Robert Lewis, Sports Information
Phone: 626-585-7018, Email: rmlewis@pasadena.edu

Fall Sports