Best Men's Soccer Start In 16 Years

The state #19-ranked Pasadena City College men's soccer team is off to its best start to a season since 2008 as the Lancers rolled past College of the Canyons, 4-0, at Robinson Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

The Lancers (6-2 overall) opened the '08 season with a sparkling 11-2 record and that squad also was 6-2 by the 8-game mark of that year.

PCC's defense is in complete, shut-down mode as the team's current 3-game win streak were all by shutout. 

Against Canyons (2-5-2), PCC peppered the Cougars' net for 20 shots while the defender corps of Jeremiah Alomo, Andrew Perez, Alek Kaprielian, and Jordy Aviles clogged the middle in front of Lancers goalkeeper Rayshon Robert, holding Canyons to just two attempts.

PCC got on the board in the sixth minute when Angel Ballesteros faked out COC goalie Hunter Maiden for a penalty kick roller into the far corner of the net. It was his fifth goal of the season.

The Lancers opened up a 2-0 halftime lead when Israel Gonzalez chipped in a short shot off a lead pass from Cristian Villegas just a minute before intermission.

In the 55th minute, Jose Perez created a set play off a free kick deep into COC territory, but after Canyons broke it up, Alex Petrossians centered a lead pass to Alomo, who rolled in the goal from the 7-yard line.

Pasadena capped the scoring in the 66th minute as Villegas was led in front on a pass by Angel Nolasco, allowing Villegas to score from four yards out as he was falling to the turf. Gonzalez, Alomo and Villegas all scored their first collegiate goals.

"We've been doing well at minimizing the opponent to scoring opportunities, and we are finishing up on our chances," said PCC head coach Francisco Cantero. "In the past three games, we've had a few players really step up in Ballesteros, who has consistently been an offensive threat, and Robert, who is going on three shutouts protecting our goal."

PCC next visits Allan Hancock College on Tuesday, Oct. 1 in a 3 p.m. non-conference game.