mens' season ends in overtime loss to pasadena city college
In what was its longest and perhaps most dramatic game of a long season, the Harbor men's soccer team saw its tournament run and season come to an end in a rainy 4-2 overtime loss to Pasadena City College Tuesday evening at East Los Angeles College.
Harbor and Pasadena battled it out in a scoreless first half, but the second half would be physical, intense and controversial.
Harbor and Pasadena turned the tempo up several notches, but Pasadena would draw first blood with a goal off a corner kick three minutes into the second period. But Harbor turned back the lead and even took the lead when Alex Chavez kicked in a shot from a miss to tie the score four minutes later. Tiburcio Casillas then showed some breakaway speed and sped past the rest of the Lancer defense and kicked in Harbor's second goal to give the Seahawks a 2-1 lead.
Harbor, unfortunately, would see its momentum slowly fall as Casillas suffered a cramp while chasing the ball midway into the second half. Casillas would not return to the game.
Players from both schools got into each other's faces, as well as the faces of the referees for what they believed to bad calls. Even Harbor assistant coach Jim Lillie was ejected for arguing with the referees.
Harbor held the lead until four minutes left in regulation, when a shot launched by Pasadena's Dario Orozco off a corner kick hit the top bar and landed straight down. The referees awarded the goal to Orozco and Harbor had one last chance to move on to the semifinals.
Chavez was tripped up by the Lancers' Malcolm Linton, drawing a penalty kick. Chavez's penalty kick - much to the surprise of everyone - was stopped by goalkeeper Jorge Sainz, extending the game into overtime.
Harbor then suffered what was going to be three more losses during the extra period, as starting goalkeeper Roberto Sanchez injured his shoulder while landing with a save. Jonathan Belcher, who hadn't played in 11 days, entered the game as goalkeeper.
Pasadena completely took over in overtime, which was to be completely played without sudden death. Linton launched a low kick to Pasadena's Jose Cortez, who kicked in the Lancers' third goal for the 3-2 lead.
Harbor, without Casillas, seemingly had a goal by Edder Lemus, but it was called back for offsides, drawing the ire of the Seahawk sidelines.
Harbor then had several close misses by Chavez and Kenny Garay. Pasadena, meanwhile, benefited from Belcher kicking back a shot and falling down nearly 30 yards away from the net, giving the Lancers a free shot, which was made to put the game out of reach.
Harbor finished a season that had a great 7-0 start, but turned to a struggle when the schedule entered conference play with tougher match-ups. After losing three of four conference games in the middle of South Coast play, the Seahawks righted the ship and won four of its remaining five games.
The first-round destruction of Oxnard College made Harbor a legitimate threat for a tournament championship, but the season ended in a tough loss, despite coming within a four minutes and a penalty kick of advancing.
Harbor will seemingly return several key players, barring transfers. While Chavez and Casillas appear to be highly recruited, Ricky Ramirez, Johnny Aleman, Bryan Escareno and both Sanchez and Belcher could return for 2009.
Harbor will begin 2009 with a scrimmage at home against Los Angeles Mission, then start off the season against that same team (season-opener will be at L.A. Mission).
Season Statistics Final
Individual Leaders
Goals: Chavez, Alex (25)
Assists: Chavez, Alex (18)
Saves: Sanchez, Roberto (82)
Team Stats
63 goals scored, 37 allowed