Romio Sislian deked past two Compton defenders and darted around the goalie to knock in the game-winning goal with eight minutes left, lifting the Pasadena City College men's soccer team over the Tartars, 2-1, Tuesday at Robinson Stadium.
David Vasquez-Mena assisted on both PCC goals and sent a lead pass to Sislian on the winner. PCC held a 1-0 lead for 51 minutes until Compton's Jaime Menendez headed in a cross by Jose Rodriguez for the tying goal in the 77th minute. But Sislian would answer only five minutes later to regain the Lancers edge.
PCC stopped a 3-game losing streak and improved to 5-6-1. Compton dropped to 2-8-2 in the South Coast Conference crossover contest (does not count toward conference record). PCC is 1-3 in SCC North Division play.
Pasadena controlled most of the first half. In the 26th minute, the Lancers took a 1-0 lead when Joshua Moran placed a ball from midfield to Vasquez-Mena who directed it to an on-rushing Anthony Jimenez. The talented sophomore forward then ripped a shot as he entered the box from the right side. It was Jimenez' team-leading sixth goal.
PCC goalie Steven Sandoval made nine saves, including a diving stop on a shot by Felipe Cisneros in the 49th minute. He also tipped away a header in the 89th minute. Maybe one of the key defensive plays was made by Vasquez-Mena in the 90th minute as he blocked Sedale Butler's attempt from the center of the goalie box.
Sislian was robbed of a goal in the 53rd minute on a free kick from the 15-yard line on a diving stop by Compton goalie Jaime Serna. Important defense was played by Moran, Bryan Garcia, Christopher Munoz and Edson Pulido, who kept the rebounds at a minimum with drive outs and kept the ball moving toward the Compton side of the field. Vasquez-Mena, Jimenez, Sislian and Santana Nunez frequently set up scoring chances with smart passes and quality shots.
The Lancers next play at powerful Cerritos College, the nations' No. 1-ranked community college team, on Friday, Oct. 19 in a SCC crossover at 4 p.m.