The Pasadena City College women's soccer team is using its deep roster to provide a constant attack on offense. But when opponents have had opportunities and potential scoring chances, the Lancers defender corps and goalies have risen to thwart them.
The results have been fruitful for head coach Terryn Soelberg's crew as the Lancers remain undefeated at 4-0-2 this season behind a 3-0 victory over visiting Citrus on Tuesday. PCC is 3-0 at Robinson Stadium and recorded the team's fourth shutout in six games.
PCC has outscored opponents, 14-2. A last-minute, meaningless goal by Irvine Valley's Jocelyn Quinonez during a 4-1 Lancers win on Sept. 5 remains the only score by an opponent in the past five games and last 485 minutes of play going back to Moorpark's lone goal in the season opener that also happened with the game out of hand in a 3-1 Pasadena victory.
Against Citrus, forward Michelle Navarro subbed in for an injured Lancer and scored her first collegiate goal in the 14th minute, roofing a 1-timer shot from the from the 9-yard line after receiving a pass by forward Angely Puga.
An example of the team's refusal to give up a goal came in the 22nd minute. Citrus' Samantha Casas found a loose ball deep in the box behind Lancers goalie Natalia Portillo, but PCC defender Destiny Delgado came out of nowhere to make a spectacular leaping, goal-saving header to keep the score 1-0.
Then in the 35th minute, Puga picked up her second assist, placing a long ball for forward Megan Schmidt, who finished a breakaway for her team-leading third goal. At the 77-minute mark, midfielder Charlie Gallardo scored on a brillant free kick from the sideline (9-yard line), launching a shot into the upper right corner of the net.
"Charlie ran the middle for us and scored an impressive goal," Soelberg said. "Angely's crosses and assists were on this game as she's such a talented player. Then Destiny came in big saving a goal for us on the goalline. She really held our backline together all game."
The 5-foot-10 Portillo made three saves in the first half and then Soelberg inserted 5-11 Francesca Agliolo (San Gabriel High) for her collegiate debut in the second half. Agliolo showed her talent in the 63rd minute, making a diving save, stuffing the Owls' Jaymee Beatty on a breakaway attempt. She finished with four saves in the combined shutout with Portillo.
The Lancers are one of 14 teams still undefeated in the state and currently are #16 in the regional power points (27th in state).
Soelberg said: "The South Coast Conference grind will be a challenging task for us, so I will take the success we can right now as we prepare for some tough games ahead."
While conference play doesn't start until October, PCC has five more non-conference games to close out September, beginning with a 6:15 p.m. home start on Friday, Sept. 15 v. Orange Coast. The Pirates are 4-1-1, rated seventh in power points in the region and 15th in the state.
Gallardo's free kick goal
