Kacee Thoren controls the ball in front of a Pasadena City defender. Thoren scored the game-winning goal in the Dons 2-1 victory.
Kacee Thoren controls the ball in front of a Pasadena City defender. Thoren scored the game-winning goal in the Dons 2-1 victory.
September 1, 2015

Kacee Thoren Scores Game Winner in Season Opener

With the game seemingly headed to a tie, Kacee Thoren took a long pass from Leanna Yescas to score the game winner over Pasadena City College in the 88th minute.

Box Score

SANTA ANA - The Dons opened their 2015 campaign with a 2-1 victory over visiting Pasadena City College. Each team enjoyed a first-half goal before SAC found the game winner in the final minutes of regulation.

It was Kacee Thoren who played the role of hero for the Dons (1-0-0) as she headed a long pass from Leanna Yescas over a defender before chipping a shot past the Lancers goalkeeper in the 88th minute.

The last-minute excitement was set up by a pair of first-half goals from each side. It was Makenna Roa with the first goal of the season for SAC as she controlled a rebound off the bar and buried a shot into the back of the net. Brianna George set up the goal with her strike from the top of the box. Her initial shot, however, glanced off the goalkeeper's fingertips before finding the post.

But the Lancers (0-1-0) would find the equalizer late in the first half with Leila Farazdaghi controlling a loose ball in the penalty area after a Lancers corner kick. Once Farazdaghi found the ball, she had a wide-open goal to shoot at.

In goal, Cristina Lizarraga and Joey Martinez each played a half for the Dons with Lizarraga making one save with one goal against in the first half before Martinez turned away two shots in the second half. For Pasadena City, Monica Rogers logged all 90 minutes and made six saves while allowing two goals.

The Dons remain home for their next match as they host Southwestern College Friday, September 4 at 2:00 PM.