Lancer Kelly Youssef puts her foot into this long-range attempt that was the game-winning goal in PCC’s 2-1 victory at Palomar, photo by Richard Quinton. Most of the current Pasadena City College women’s soccer team roster were toddlers the last time a Lancers team started a season with three straight wins. On Thursday, PCC edged […]
Lancer Kelly Youssef puts her foot into this long-range attempt that was the game-winning goal in PCC’s 2-1 victory at Palomar, photo by Richard Quinton.
Most of the current Pasadena City College women’s soccer team roster were toddlers the last time a Lancers team started a season with three straight wins. On Thursday, PCC edged host Palomar, 2-1, and in the process matched the 3-0 season start of the 2001 team. That squad began the year with a 6-game win streak overall.
It also took just three games for the Lancers to match their entire 2016 season total for victories (in 21 matches). The win over the Comets ended a 15-game winless streak (0-10-5) in road contests that went back to the 2015 season. Quite a turnaround for PCC head coach Reggie Rivas, now in his fourth year in charge of the Lancers.
“Talent is only one aspect of winning,” Rivas said. “You have to play within a system and your team has to have confidence in itself. We have a number of things that are going our way right now, and we are building a winning attitude. We just need to keep working hard and not lose sight of playing as a unit.”
PCC jumped ahead 1-0 just 3:15 into the game when Toni Dwyer headed in her second goal off a corner kick by Emily Matthiesen. In the 29th minute, the Lancers took command at 2-0 as Kelly Youssef drove a 40-yard shot in for her first goal since her 2015 freshman season. Ironically, the sophomore redshirt scored nearly two full years apart (Sept. 11) and also at a San Diego-located college—her first collegiate goal was in a win at San Diego City College.
Palomar broke the shutout in the 75th minute by Jesse Rojas but PCC goalie Lilly Urumieh was solid with six saves.
Pasadena hopes to keep its winning streak going as it plays at San Diego City College Friday, Sept. 8 in a 2 p.m. game.
