The state #11-ranked Pasadena City College women's soccer team figured it was time to finally show off its offensive abilities on Friday night. The Lancers extended their historic, season-long undefeated streak to 13 games (9-0-4) in routing winless Los Angeles City, 10-0, at Robinson Stadium.
PCC is 2-0 in South Coast Conference play and now stand #12 in state power points and #8 among SoCal teams. The importance of that rating is it will determine a postseason seeding as the program attempts make the regional playoffs for the first time in 11 years. The team is one of four left in the state still without a defeat including #1 Saddleback (9-0-1), #6 Long Beach City (6-0-3), and #20 Skyline (8-0-1).
The Lancers had not scored more than four goals in any game during their streak and reached the double figures plateau for the first time in two years when PCC romped over East Los Angeles, 12-0, on Oct. 12, 2021.
Having won their last three games, PCC is also a sparkling 6-0-1 at home this season.
Alexa Espinoza-Gutierrez scored in the second minute and the team never looked back, eventually going ahead 5-0 on Megan Schmidt's goal in the 35th minute. Christina Garcia scored her second goal, capping the double-figure evening with 5:03 left on the clock.
Leading the scoring roll call were Schmidt and Hailey Hull each with 4-point games, both with two goal and two assists. Garcia scored her first two of the season, Espinoza-Gutierrez contributed a goal and one assist while Angely Puga also had a goal and one helper. Riley Buck and Michelle Navarro reached the net for goals and Hallee Cervantes tallied an assist. Goalie Layla Hoyo made her first collegiate start and made one save for the shutout.
PCC head coach Terryn Soelberg managed to play 20 players overall and was able to get a few of her full-time, 90-minute type players much needed rest for a change. The Lancers totaled 38 shots attempted, including a team-high six by Hull.
"We have so many talented players who can score, so it was nice to see us make finishes and work on our offensive game," Soelberg said. "We've had quite a few intense battles v. some really good teams, including three scoreless ties, but we know also have the ability to attack and control the ball."
The Lancers take another test on Tuesday, Oct. 10 as they travel to face Long Beach, a team that they haven't been able to beat since 2012, going 0-8-4 v. the Vikings since a 1-0 win that season.