The tandem of forwards Alexandra Lopez and Iris Pollard came up with the big play Tuesday as the state #17-ranked Pasadena City College women's soccer team pulled out a 2-1, South Coast Conference victory over El Camino at Robinson Stadium.
The Lancers (9-4 overall, 2-0 in conference) had numerous opportunites but were stoned by ECC goalie Jordan Stemberga, who made at least five acrobatic leaping saves via tips and a few diving stops as part of 13 overall stops.
But with the game tied 1-1 in the 71st minute, Pollard came down the left wing and sent a high ball to Lopez, who 1-timed the shot in midair past Stemberga for the game-winning goal. The duo teamed up for PCC's first goal in the 30th minute as Pollard pounced on a rebound from a shot by Lopez to make it 1-0.
Alexandra Lopez with game-winner
El Camino (2-8-2, 1-2) tied it in the 58th minute on a free kick goal by Citlali Sarahi Sanchez, whose sideline shot from the 11-yard line went through a screen into the right corner.
PCC received strong defense from such players as Kristina Snowden, who broke up two breakaways, Kira Muramatsu, Rachel Mentaze and Caley Orona.
Pasadena outshot the Warriors, 24-4, as Lopez (eight shots) and Nadia Aguilar (six attempts) had premium chances through the match.
Lancers 5, East Los Angeles 1 (October 10)
In a night game on Friday, PCC scored its season high in defeating visiting East Los Angeles, 5-1, in its SCC opener.
Lopez collected a goal and assisted on two others to lead the win as Pasadena netted four of its goals in the second half.
Four minutes before halftime, Esmeralda Jaquez rifled a goal from outside 20 yards after Raylyn Laney received a pass at the top of the box and played it back to Jaquez.
In the 48th minute, Maxine Scott got loose afer a lead pass by Lopez as she finished for what proved to be the game winner. Just four minutes later, Isabella Lopez, the older sister of Alexandra, made a cross to her younger sibling, who made it 3-0. The sister act connected again in the 54th minute with Alexandra feeding a cross to Isabella for the goal.
Coach Terryn Soelberg's Lancers closed the scoring with two minutes remaining as Alyssa Avila headed in a corner kick by Isabella Nersesyan.
Alexandra Lopez is fourth in the conferece in scoring with 18 points (seven goals, four assists) while Nersesyan is second in the SCC in assists with six (Aguilar third with five helpers).
PCC is currently at South Region's No. 7 in the all-important power points ratings that determine postseason playoff seeds.
Winners of five of their last six games, PCC looks for its fourth straight win on Friday, Oct. 16 when it travels to face LA Harbor in a 6 p.m. South Coast game.
Isabella Nersesyan in ELAC win
