When the late Tom Petty wrote the famous lyric, "the waiting is the hardest part," never more does it apply than to the start of Terryn Soelberg's career as Pasadena City College women's soccer head coach. Hired 16 months ago, little did Soelberg know that her supposed first Lancers season in 2020 would be cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday, Soelberg and the 2021 PCC squad finally took the field for her official debut as Lancers coach.
"I am more than ready for our first game. It's been a long time in the making," Soelberg said. "Our season was postponed for a year, so I am just as eager as the girls to be back on the field. The game is the real teacher so I am excited for what's in store for us this season, and to see us all grow and develop as players and coaches."
Unfortunately for Soelberg and her Lancers, host Taft College handed them a 2-0 defeat on Saturday morning in the coach's first game. PCC will next play at College of the Canyons on Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. The Lancers won't play their first home match until Tuesday, Sept. 7 when they face Victor Valley in a 4 p.m. kickoff at Robinson Stadium.
Soelberg was able to return four players from the 2019 Lancers including letterman starting defender Jaqueline Gonzalez and starting midfielder Emelyn Meza (a goal, one assist in five games before an injury ended her freshman season).
"Jacky is experienced and a strong center back and she will be one of our team captains. Emelyn is a veteran too and she demands the best from everyone."
The other lettermen from the '19 squad are forward Priscilla Lucero (one goal, one assist in nine games) and defender Jamie Verdin, who appeared in seven matches that year.
The coach's recruiting class starts with 5-foot-5 center back defender Gabby Morales, who was named to the 2021 All-CIF Southern Section Division 4 team in her senior year at Burbank Burroughs High. As a sophomore, she helped Burroughs win its first Pacific League title in 26 years in 2018-19.
"Gabby is one of our best players, another team captain and someone who leads by example through her hard work," Soelberg said.
PCC's third team captain is 5-8 incoming freshman center midfielder Juanita Diaz, (from St. Genevieve High) who the coach said has a "high soccer IQ" and is a crafty playmaker.
With Diaz and Meza at starting midfielder is Melissa Badillo, a hard-working freshman from Alhambra High. PCC's all-freshmen starting forward trio is made up of Devin Zamora (Temple City HS), a fast-moving player who "can serve with both feet," according to Soelberg, skilled Olivia Aguilar, a top scorer and teammate of Morales at Burroughs High, and Arielle Stickar, who played at US Army Garrison Humphreys High--an American-run school located in South Korea, who is considered the team's fastest player.
With Morales and Gonzalez the pillars on defense, the starting defender corps is rounded out by the dependable Angie Alvarado (Monrovia High) and left-footer Avery Romero (La Canada HS), who the coach calls a player who "never gives up."
PCC's starting goalie is Stevie Mancillas from Alhambra High.
The first players off the bench will likely be frosh forwards in Mia Bedoyan (from Dubai) and Bertha Guzman (Arcadia). Other players expected to challenge the starters for playing time are Lucero and Erin Trainor, a 5-7 center back defender from Burbank High. PCC has depth in reserve players Kassandra Martinez (defender, Hoover HS), Desiree Vargas (defender, Monrovia), Michaela Misik (forward, Village Christian, All-Olympic League selection), and backup goalie Jesua Garcia, from Pasadena High.
"We are a talented young team that is ready to be tested," Soelberg said. "Our speed up top will make it difficult for defenders to deal with us. We have a strong soccer IQ on the team, and when we are all committed to our style of play, we move the ball very well! We are also lucky to have two strong keepers that can keep us in the match."
Soelberg cited team goals are "to be competitive in every game we play, to play our system, and see that the majority of our team become scholar athletes."
PCC Women's Soccer 2021 Schedule
PCC Women's Soccer 2021 Roster