By John M. Sherrard
(WALNUT) The top-ranked ranked Mens' soccer team in the state, Mt. San Antonio College, kept on rolling with its fifth consecutive win and sixth in seven games this season on Tuesday afternoon.
The 5-1 victory over previously unbeaten Pasadena City College kept the Mounties atop the CCCAA polls for the second week in a row in their opening South Coast Conference North game at Mt. SAC.
The Mounties improved to 6-1 and 1-0, while No.12 PCC (3-1-2, 0-1) suffered its first loss of the season.
"I was very pleased with the teams' performance, intensity and hard work demonstrated for 90 minutes," Mt. SAC soccer coach Juan Sanchez said.
Leading the way for the Mounties was sophomore forward Michael Flores (Sierra Vista HS) with two goals.
Flores, who now has 12 goals on the season and one behind the state leader, started the scoring at the 31 minute mark. Assisting on the goal was sophomore midfielder Edzon Cuevas (Animo Jackie Robinson HS), his fifth of the season.
"Michael (Flores) displayed great offensive skills scoring two hard earned goals," Sanchez said.
PCC tied the game at 1-1 ten minutes later, but sophomore midfielder Juan Sanchez (Los Altos HS) gave the Mounties the lead for good in extra time of the first half on a goal assisted by sophomore forward Julio Velasquez (Warren HS).
"The first half was a very intense, hard fought match," Sanchez said. "Both teams were battling for possession of the ball. (Sophomore) left back Danny Huizar (Cathedral HS) had a great defensive game."
Flores (assist by Sanchez) and sophomore midfielder Axel Mendez (Cathedral HS) gave the Mounties an insurmountable, 4-1, lead at the 46 and 55 minute mark.
Freshman forward Andre Gamboa (Diamond Bar HS) put an exclamation point on the victory with a late goal at the 81st minute, which was assisted by freshman forward Joel Martin (Lawndale HS).
Mt. SAC keeper Edwyn Gutierrez (Connections Academy HS), whose GAA is 1.14, made five saves in the game and now is 6-1.
The men play a nonconference game on Friday versus College of the Canyons (3-5-1) at 6:00 p.m at the Mt. SAC soccer complex.