The Pasadena City College men's soccer team sweated out the final minute of its 2-1 win over Victor Valley on Tuesday. But holding on to a 1-goal margin didn't equate the way the Lancers completely dominated the Rams.

Off to a 2-0 start to the '24 season, PCC peppered the Rams (0-2) throughout the 90 minutes, outshooting them, 33-4, while creating numerous scoring chances. If not for VVC goalie Emmanual Lopez (16 saves), Pasadena might have put up five or more goals.

In the 25th minute, Diego Lazo got to a loose ball and fired a rocket that deflected off a Victor Valley defender and landed into the inside corner of the net. But the Rams, whose scoring chances amounted to one cashed in on that opportunity in the 55th minute when Kenneth Roman lined a send-in that left Daniel Miralda alone in the box as he redirected the ball past PCC's second goalie Rayshon Robert. 

After Ariel Hernandez had three consecutive high-end scoring chances, including being thrwarted by Lopez on a point-blank header and a breakaway stop, the frosh striker was determined to cash in. In the 63rd minute, Lazo drove a shot that hit the crossbar as Hernandez headed in the rebound for the game-winning goal.

Lazo led the offensive attack with nine shots (four on goal) and Hernandez had seven (five at the goalie). Lazo hit the post three different times while Lopez made dazzling, acrobatic saves on PCC combination plays and quality set-ups. Jorky Aguirre was frequently creating chances and Angel Ballesteros was relentless on controlling the ball deep into VVC territory. 

Coach Francisco Cantero's Lancers, winners of four straight dating back to late last season, will travel to San Marcos to face Palomar on Friday, Aug. 30 at 1:30 p.m.