Share:

PCC men’s soccer team was victorious for the second time in a row with a 2-1 victory over visiting East Los Angeles College at Robinson Stadium.The Lancers prevailed although they played a lackluster and uninspiring brand of soccer on a hot Friday afternoon. But like all good teams, they capitalized on their opponent’s mistakes, and did just enough to escape with a win.

PCC’s winning goal was created by an unlikely source: Keeper Steve Rulec came well out his box to clear a ball that had beat the Lancer off sides trap. His clearance happened to find Ben Martin in stride behind the defense and on-side. Martin smartly lofted a ball over the head of Husky goalie Abel Carrera.

“It was lucky,” said Rulec.

Rulec was also lucky midway through the first half when he badly misplayed a bouncing ball in the box and Husky forward Xavier Lopez shot just wide of the post.

Minutes later, Rulec’s luck ran out when the defense failed to clear their lines and ELAC defender Robert Dixon found himself with a good look-on goal from 15 yards out. His shot was true, beating Rulec easily.

“We didn’t play well today,” admitted Rulec.

Fortunately for the Lancers, ELAC was undisciplined on offense and lost their composure on defense.

One of the few bright spots for the Lancers was when midfielder Ricky Reyes took Malcom Linton’s free kick midway through the second half and turned his marker, William Espinal, around inside the 18. In trying to recover, Espinal brought down Reyes inside the box, resulting in a penalty. However, the lead official failed to see the linesman’s flag up indicating Reyes was offside. The official ignored the pleas of the ELAC players and coaching staff and allowed the penalty. Carrera dove correctly to his left, but Martin’s shot had too much pace and equalized.

There was further controversy late in the game when ELAC’s Hector Alquicira hit the ball off a corner of the post that the Huskies believed crossed the line for a game-tying goal, but again their pleas fell on deaf ears.

“PCC played, we played well, but we got beat by the refs,” said ELAC coach Eddie Flores.

Martin found himself on the spot again shortly after his second score when Reyes launched a cross to the far post that was expertly headed by forward Abass Said to Anass Kheirat, who was trailing the play.

His header was stopped by Mark Villalobos but the rebound found its way to Kendrick Martin whose shot was deliberately handled by Dixon who was then red-carded.

Martin went the same way but this time he didn’t hit it as well, and Carrera was able to knock it wide.
Tuesday’s men’s and women’s soccer games at Long Beach City College were canceled due to poor air quality caused by the Southern California wild fires.

Follow: