Once the scoreboard clock is turned off traditionally at the 2-minute remaining mark, it's anyone's guess when a half of play is officially over as it's the referee that holds the official time.and whistles the end of play.
With short water breaks due to the high heat at Robinson Stadium on Tuesday, it still appeared the teams had reached the halftime mark of play at 0-0. Instead, Pasadena City College men's soccer goalie Matthew Gilmore made the initial save on a hard attempt from Allan Hancock's Juan Zarate and teammate Edgar Chavez knocked in the rebound after the 45th minute.
Knowing time was running out in the half, the Lancers immediately raced up field with Sebastian Jimenez rifling in a 15-yard drive on a pass from Junior Martinez Cortes. The whistle was blown ending a wild finish to the first half, and those two goals proved to be the offense in a 1-1 tie between the colleges.
The Lancers remain undefeated at 3-0-1 while Hancock is 1-1-2.
Pasadena outshot the Bulldogs, 21-6, including a 14-0 advantage in the second half. Despite an onslaught of chances, Hancock goalie Max Brewster made nine saves overall and stoned the Pasadena efforts. The Lancers best chances were a free kick from the 12-yard line by Julian Zuniga that sailed over the cross bar and then Brewster's diving save on a 15-yard boot by Jouseph Contreras in the 90th minute.
PCC's defense shut down Hancock's offense with solid play from Andre Baktchedjian, Allesandro Diaz and Jeremiah Alomo. Meanwhile, Cortes took six shots and Zuniga three as the pair often created opportunities with speed and smart passing in Bulldogs' territory.
Hancock's most effective player was midfielder Ronnie Ayala, who often thwarted PCC chances near the box.
Head Coach Francisco Cantero's Lancers next host Saddleback on Friday, Sept. 5 in a 4 p.m. game.