Share:

If Tuesday’s season-opener for the men’s soccer team was any indication, this season could be one wild thrill ride. The Lancers needed extra time to defeat El Camino College Compton Center at Robinson Stadium by the score of 2-1.

The win increases the Lancers’ overall record for the season to 4-1-2

In contrast to the pedestrian first half, the final minutes of the game took a turn for the dramatic when ECC’s goalkeeper Erik Manchaca was given a red card for throwing an elbow at PCC’s freshman defender Julio Osorio. The foul was committed within the penalty box, allowing Lancer sophomore defender Francisco Cantero to drill in the game-winning penalty kick for PCC.

“Cantero is one of our leaders so I picked him to take it,” said Head Coach Edgar Manvelyan in an e-mail. “We have fun at practice taking [PKs] but I knew Cantero was the man to take it.”

The Lancers carried a 1-0 lead into halftime courtesy of freshman defender Josh Cuevas’ finisher of a corner kick by freshman midfielder Erik Rios in the 37th minute.

ECC struck back in the 60th minute when forward Chris Saray made good of a golden opportunity to even the score at one apiece after Lancer fr.eshman defender Elio Anguiano was taken out of a play-an arguable non-call by the referee-leaving only freshman goalie Jorge Cervantes between Saray and the net.

Tuesday’s game marked the returns of Cervantes, who had missed two games with a hand injury, and fellow teammate freshman midfielder Ryosuke Tarui, who missed five games due to a knee injury. Cervantes did not play the first half, when Manvelyan opted to go with freshman goalkeeper Fernando Zavala instead.

“Zavala [was great] last game,” said Manvelyan. “[He’s] been practicing where Jorge Cervantes [is] just coming back.”

Although he has been cleared to play, Tarui admits he is “out of shape.” After the game, Tarui groaned as he removed the taped ice off his legs, revealing the blushing calves.

“Give me a week,” Tarui assured teammate and freshman midfielder Valentine Obinwa.

The Lancers, who have already lost freshman midfielder Sergio Valdez and sophomore midfielder David Krievs for the season, might have to include their leading scorer Omar Reyes to the list. The freshman forward has been diagnosed with a concussion, his second in two months, and his status will be determined by his neurologist.

“If the doctor says I can play, I’ll be back next week,” said Reyes. “If the neurologist says I can’t play, then I’m out for the whole season.”

With Tuesday’s victory, PCC’s men’s soccer improves their record to 4-1-2 (1-0). The team’s next test will be on the road, matching up against Long Beach City College on Friday at 4 p.m. and Cerritos College in Norwalk at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Follow: