Oxnard Advances Past Pasadena, 1-0

AZUSA — The Oxnard College men's soccer team may have rode the region's most prolific attack to the Southern California regional playoffs.

But it was its underrated defense that kept it there Saturday afternoon at Azusa Pacific.

The athleticism of goalkeeper Jose Gonzalez, the grit of defender Jesse Gallardo and a touch of luck allowed Johnny Lopez's lone goal to stand up as the No. 10-seeded Condors eliminated No. 7 Pasadena City, 1-0, in the Southern California regional quarterfinals.

"It was tight," Oxnard coach Ross Greaney said. "We tried to play our game but they have a lot of talented players. We stuck together, stayed compact and the shutout is big."

Riding a 12-game winning streak and 13-game unbeaten stretch, Oxnard (16-5-1) hasn't allowed a goal since Oct. 22.

The shutout streak, which extends through seven full matches, passed the 11-hour mark Saturday.

"Defense wins championships," fullback Juan Garcia said.

Oxnard will visit No. 2 San Bernardino Valley (12-3-6) in the Southern California regional semifinals Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Oxnard dominated the scoreless first half, but couldn't take advantage.

"No matter how much possession you have, it doesn't mean goals," Greaney said. "We had a lot of action in their area in the first half. We just couldn't seem to find the breakthrough."

The Condors nearly fell behind seconds into the second half when a rebound fell to a Pasadena player with a gaping goal.

Gallardo threw himself at the shot, blocking it and taking a foot to the face for his hustle.

"We bust our butts back there," Gallardo said. "You know you do whatever it takes today."

Garcia played the telling pass in the full-field move that resulted in the only goal of the match.

Defender Stevie Trujillo played it to midfielder Roque Magana, who found attacker Osvaldo Espinoza making a run. The ball was played wide to fullback Garcia, who beat a defender, gained the byline and spotted Lopez alone on the penalty spot.

"We made a nice combination there," Greaney said. "A lot of good play from back to front to get the ball to Johnny."

Garcia, a freshman from Hueneme High, feathered a square ball for Lopez, who finished low and right.

"I happened to be in so much space," Lopez said. "I had all the time to place it."

Gonzalez (11 saves) was repeatedly called on to protect the lead as Pasadena surged forward in the final half-hour, including a pair of diving, highlight-reel saves at the base of his right post.

The first spoiled a beautiful bicycle kick by Pasadena star Luis Flores. Gonzalez tipped it around the post despite a difficult deflection.

"All I remember is seeing the ball when it came off the deflection," said Gonzalez, a Hueneme graduate. "Without thinking, I was on the ground and stretching as far as I could."

Perhaps Pasadena's best chance at an equalizer was foiled by fate. Gonzalez was prone after saving an initial shot in the 87th minute, but two Lancers collided as they scrambled to turn home a rebound and the chance was lost.

"You have to be on your toes, all the time," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez was again called upon in second-half stoppage time. During a string of three straight Pasadena corners, a rebound fell to Flores, whose perfectly placed shot was again foiled by Gonzalez.

"I don't know how he got down to those," Greaney said. "He's got excellent reactions."