Men's Soccer Enjoying Home Cooking

The Pasadena City College men's soccer team ran its Robinson Stadium home record to 3-0 after blanking Los Angeles Harbor, 2-0, Friday in a South Coast Conference crossover game. The Lancers are 6-3-3 overall.

While the power points on the CCCAA state website may not be 100 percent up to date, PCC is in a position to gain a postseason playoff spot as the current No. 10 team (1.93 power points) in the South region. 

The Lancers used two early goals and an impressive shutdown in the defensive zone throughout the 90 minutes to post the Harbor victory. 

In the second minute, Avo Haroutunyan scored on a penalty kick after being fouled in the box. In the 12th minute, Manuel Chavez took a free kick from the inside corner of the box and Jesus Garcia perfectly headed in Chavez' timed drive for a 2-0 Lancers lead.

PCC head coach Henry Cabral was impressed by the defensive play of Joshua Moran, who was moved to center back for the contest, and the adept ball movement of Joshua Arevalo. Garcia continues to also be one of the state's best all-around players and a stalwart on defense for PCC.

Pasadena had a number of chances to add to their scoring total, including another penalty kick by Haroutunyan, which was stopped by Harbor goalie Juan Monroy in the 79th minute. Haroutunyan had a few other chances, including a shot that hit the crossbar in the 54th minute.

Pasadena goalies Yusuf Elmasri (two saves) and Kristopher Guerra (four saves) combined on the shutout.

On Wednesday, the Lancers played at perennial North power Taft, and lost a close one, 2-1. A Garcia header produced PCC's goal in the 78th minute on a corner by Alexander Hernandez.

PCC next plays at state No. 11-ranked Cerritos in a 4 p.m. SCC crossover game on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m.

[Photo--Lancer Jesus Garcia puts his head on the ball during PCC's win on Friday, image by Richard Quinton.]