The job of center-back defender in soccer is often a thankless role that can be compared to the way that football offensive linemen are rarely mentioned in game recaps. On Tuesday at Robinson Stadium, the Pasadena City College women's soccer team used some quick strikes for goals but it was Avery Romero's defensive play that was a big factor in the Lancers' 3-1 win over Santa Ana.
Romero, an All-South Coast Conference Second Team selection as a freshman, made numerous breakups and blocked as many as three Santa Ana shots near or around the goalie box as her defense kept Santa Ana from gaining offensive momentum.
The Lancers (3-4-1) won their second straight, taking a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute. Isabela Guerrero sent a pass across the box as Devin Zamora raced to the far corner and reached the ball just in time to finish the play for the goal. Two minutes into the second half, Zamora returned the favor to Guerrero, who received Zamora's center cross and fired in a shot from the 5-yard line for a 2-0 PCC advantage. Less than two minutes later, Athena Vournas connected for a score off a corner kick by Gabby Morales.
Santa Ana broke goalie Christina Echeverrie's bid for a shutout in the 82nd minute on a short-range goal by Ximena Barreras. Echeverrie made four saves, including a brilliant stop with a minute remaining, and earned her first collegiate victory.
"Avery had a great game and disrupted a lot of potential dangerous plays," said PCC head coach Terryn Soelberg, who previously coached as an assistant at Santa Ana. "They will always be a tough opponent. They play a similar style of soccer, so it's always a battle.
"I thought we had a slow start to the game. Luckily, Athena came off the bench and brought some energy for us. Isabel and Devin scored on a great play that allowed us to finish the first half on a positive note. We played a lot better in the second half and generated better offense allowing us close out the win."
Next Tuesday, Sept. 27, the Lancers host El Camino College, a South Coast Conference member, in a non-conference counting contest. Kickoff is 2 p.m. a Robinson Stadium.