ELAC Produces 2nd Half Scoring Blitz, Hang On for First Win.
by Cerwin D. Haynes
The Huskies break out of their season-long scoring slump with three goals in the second half, and withstand a late rally by PCC to beat the #14 state-ranked Lancers 3-2. It is the first win of the season for East Los Angeles.
Scoring had been at a premium all season for ELAC - in fact, they've only scored one goal all season (a 1-1 tie at LA Valley) and had been shut out in their five losses. With unbeaten Pasadena coming into Weingart, the Huskies were thought to had been facing another uphill battle. Except a different tone was set early on when Huskies' forward Perla Navarro mustered a shot on goal within the first few minutes of the match. Her aggressiveness throughout the 1st half fueled the team - instead of facing constant pressue on their half of the field, ELAC found opportunities to take to the offensive. The first half ended in a scoreless tie, but the Huskies had five shots on goal to the Lancers' two.
ELAC would keep up their energy in the second half, and it finally paid off for the young women: Navarro finally scored on a Crystal Gonzalez assist at the 49:47 mark to take a 1-0 lead. Not even two minutes later (at 51:39), Gonzalez herself nailed a 15-yarder from Andrea Martinez, and the score was 2-0 for the home Huskies. About 15 minutes later on, Kayla Prado would find herself the beneficiary of a richocheted shot off goalie Natali Morales. The ball bounced off Morales and found Prado (66:34) at the right angle for a header into the net for a 3-0 lead.
Perhaps sensing the game slipping away, PCC started to show their top-ranked mettle. Late goals by Kaily Echeverria (79:26) and Amanda Howard (86:22) closed the gap to 3-2. But the Huskies only needed just enough time to play keepaway, and was able to hold on.
While the Huskies notched their first season win (1-5-1), it was the first season loss for the Lancers (5-1-3).
UP NEXT:
ELAC travels to Mt. SAC on Friday, October 4th for a 2pm matchup with the Mounties.