In recent seasons, no opponent has had the type of success against state power Mt. San Antonio than the Pasadena City College men’s soccer team. PCC is 2-0-1 in its last three meetings v. Mt. SAC at Robinson Stadium, including Friday’s 1-0, South Coast Conference triumph.
The Lancers extended their undefeated streak to five games (2-0-3) and improved to 3-3-3 overall and 1-0-1 in SCC play. In the process, PCC handed the state’s No. 5-rated Mounties (5-1-3) their first loss in nine matches this season. Mt. SAC won four CCCAA state titles from 2009-2012 and was state runner-up last year.
PCC head coach Edgar Manvelyan inserted freshman midfielder Lukeba Massamba into the starting lineup for the first time and the local Blair High product paid dividends. After a foul, the Lancers received a free kick at the 15-yard line. Mt. SAC blocked the initial kick with a wall of defenders. Massamba raced to a loose ball and boomed a driving shot from 28 yards out into the upper left corner for a goal just entering the 20-minute mark.
The Lancers made the lead stand up thanks to brilliant defense led by returning All-SCC defender George Barba. The sophomore broke up a number of Mt. SAC opportunities and saved a goal in the 28th minute when Rolando Munoz took a short-range attempt with PCC goalie Alan Lopez guarding the right side of the net. Barba instinctively stopped the ball with his right foot at the goalline and then cleared it out of danger.
PCC played steady throughout and outshot Mt. SAC, 15-14. Lopez made five saves for the shutout. Mounties had one last opportunity to tie it in stoppage time but Lopez made a save on a free kick by Misael Osorio and Barba again recovered the rebound and cleared it to clinch the victory.
Shawhin Berenji, Kris Carvajal, and David Abeyta were other PCC defenders who played well while midfielder Brandon Gerlach created offensive opportunities, including hitting the post on an offensive attempt in the 56th minute. Forward Briley Venti was stopped on a breakaway in the 28th minute on a nice diving save by Mt. SAC goalie Daniil Slepukhin.
“We always are motivated to play a talented, well-coached team like Mt. SAC and seem to have their number at home,” said PCC head coach Edgar Manvelyan. “The players know they are capable of being a top-rated type team. We just have to be more consistent from game to game. We didn’t play well in our SCC opener v. Compton.”
On Tuesday, the Lancers settled for a 1-1 tie at El Camino College-Compton Center. The field conditions were poor at Compton causing a delay to the start of the game and PCC struggled after falling behind 1-0 early. Fortunately for PCC with six minutes left, Luis Ramirez received a cross from Abel Cadena and knocked in the tying goal. The team played without three starters who were red-carded in a rough 0-0 tie at Rio Hondo on September 26.
Release Date: 10/04/14
Robert Lewis, Sports Information
Phone: 626-585-7018, Email: rmlewis@pasadena.edu
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