Pasadena forward Heven Gomez, #4, battles for the ball with Rio Hondo defender Jose Valdivia, #3, on Friday, September 11, 2015 in a home game at Pasadena City College’s Robinson Stadium. Pasadena fell to Rio Hondo 2-0.
PCC’s men’s soccer team lost to Rio Hondo 2-0 on Friday when they allowed two goals in during the second half of the game.
During the first half, the Lancers’ defense used their heads, literally and figuratively, to stop Rio Hondo’s offense from scoring. Freshman defender Derek Bell blocked a shot on goal with a header and the defense made sure Rio Hondo was caught offsides.
The Lancers’ offense played a smart game of two-touch in the first half, conserving their energy in the heat wave with good passing and pressure on Rio Hondo’s defense.
Freshman forward Artin Almary nearly dropped in a goal that Rio Hondo’s goalie was able to tip over the top in a stroke of good luck and skill.
Although the teams were equally intense and aggressive in the beginning, the Lancers began to fall apart in the second half, causing them to lose the game at home. The players weren’t communicating according to head coach Edgar Manvelyan.
“The last three games have been like that. Start strong and the second half fall apart,” Manvelyan said.
Rio Hondo’s Sergio Becerra scored both goals, notching the first goal with a breakaway that flustered the Lancers’ defense.
The second half seemed to be a series of mistakes for the Lancers’ offense and defense.
Forwards Oscar Gonzalez and Almary were left trying to keep control of the ball while looking for an open player to pass to. Gonzalez often found himself trying to maneuver through Rio Hondo’s defensive players once he made it up field and said “we need to communicate more and follow our plays.”
Lancer defender Sasan Shirmohammadi and freshman goal keeper Yusuf Elmasri left the goal unattended and Rio Hondo’s Becerra took advantage of the mistake with an easy shot to score the second goal with 25 minutes left in the game.
Defenders Bell and Shirmohammadi foiled many Rio Hondo attempts to score. As many saves as Elmasri made, Rio Hondo was relentless and able to get two goals in.
This year the Lancers only have three returning players but Manvelyan feels that isn’t the issue and shouldn’t be when they are playing at the college level. He’s hoping the team will “find their groove” and stop making “mental mistakes.” He was disappointed to lose on their home turf.
“In the second [half] something sparked and offense and defense got going,” said Rio Hondo coach Orlando Brenes who has led his team to five wins and two ties even though all their games are away because their field is under construction.
The Lancers never gave up and played hard until the bitter end, though Rio Hondo managed to keep control of the ball the second half of the game.
“We always work hard for each other and we’ll be back Monday on the field getting ready for Tuesday,” said Almary.
- The side-effects of PCC’s smoking ban - December 2, 2015
- Lady Lancers soccer tied-up loose season on last game - November 18, 2015
- PCC Pep Band part of ceremony to honor veterans at City Hall - November 18, 2015
