Box Score

October 28, 2008

Men’s Soccer:
Vikings miss chance to claim first, fall to Pasadena 1-0

In a showdown of the top two teams in the South Coast Conference, the Long Beach City College men’s soccer team was edged by visiting Pasadena City College by a final score of 1-0 on Tuesday.

First place in the SCC standings were at stake this afternoon, which Pasadena will hold on to after the win. Pasadena improved to 12-3-0 overall and 7-2-0 in the SCC while Long Beach dropped to 13-2-4 and 5-2-2 in conference play.

After a scoreless first half, the game got interesting in the second. Both teams had great opportunities to score but couldn’t finish.

In the 66th minute, Pasadena was awarded an indirect free kick inside the LBCC penalty box. After a touch pass, Albrik Tahmasian’s shot was just wide of the goal.

But moments later, Tahmasian redeemed himself. He blasted a shot from 30 yards out just above the hands of LBCC sophomore goalkeeper Chris DeWalt to give the Lancers the 1-0 lead.

The Vikings had a chance to tie in the 80th minute, LBCC freshman forward Manuel Batista had a one-on-one breakaway opportunity with PCC goalie Jorge Sainz. Batista spun with the ball to avoid Sainz but his shot sailed just high above the cross bar.

Pasadena held off numerous scoring runs over the final minutes of the game to hold on for the win. Long Beach outshot Pasadena by a 12-4 margin in the second half.

Sainz posted five saves in goal for PCC in the shutout. DeWalt made two saves for the Vikings.

The Long Beach men return to action on Friday (Oct. 31) when they travel to face Mt. San Antonio College in a 3 p.m. SCC game.