The consistency of freshman striker Esai Matchan continues to be one of the biggest reasons the Pasadena City College men's soccer team is off to a 5-1-2 start to the 2022 season. Matchan scored two goals on Friday as PCC blanked Imperial Valley, 3-0, for the Lancers' third straight win at Robinson Stadium.

Matchan, a 5-foot-8 scoring machine from La Serna High, has points in seven of PCC's eight games and scored a goal in each of the team's four undefeated home contests in which the team is 3-0-1. He totaled eight points (three goals, two assists) in the last two games alone.

Against winless Imperial Valley (0-8), the Lancers played an Arabs team content to keep its 10 field players in its defensive zone in order to slow up PCC's quick-strike offense. While PCC outshot IVC, 25-6, the strategy proved to frustrate the Lancers who despite high quality opportunities throughout the match failed often to finish. 

A foul in the box allowed PCC to take a 1-0 lead 12 minutes into the game on a penalty kick goal by Omar Gonzalez. Matchan went to work in the 21st minute. Receiving a lead pass from Osmar Rojas, Matchan took advantage of the challenging approach of Imperial Valley goalie Dither Beltran. Matchan met Beltran at the top of the box but instead of shooting simply raced around the netminder and had an easy tap in for a 2-0 lead.

In the 61st minute, Matchan ripped a superb kick into the upper corner from 20 yards out for his team-leading sixth goal. Anthony Marquez assisted on the score.

Goalies Kristopher Gutierrez (70 minutes, one save) and Chris Morazan (20 minutes, one save) combined for the team's second straight shutout and third of the season.

"We're creating many scoring chances with Esai and Osmar turning into a great duo," said PCC head coach Gerry Mora. "Today, it didn't show in the final score, but there were a number of premium opportunities and near misses. We were able to play some more of our reserves. The depth is there on defense where we can trade out some of our starting defenders and not lose the level of play."

Mora played 24 different players in the win. Beltran made 10 saves for IVC and his aggressive approach kept PCC from not piling on to the score.

Next up for the Lancers is a 4 p.m. non-conference game at Moopark College on Tuesday, Sept. 27.