Nov. 24, 2010

EL VAQUERO November 24, 2010

Glendale College

Tammy Panich makes history as the first GCC golfer

# to win a state championship. champions hip.

See related story, page 4.

Photo by Louis Roche

2

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

www.elvaq.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

EL VAQUERO Glendale Community College

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Louis Roche Jr. COPY EDITOR

Agnes Constante STAFF WRITERS

Nik Brkic Vanessa Duffy Brandon Gardner Rachel Mills Adriana Orellana Luis Rodriguez Derek Stowe STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Richard Kontas Isiah Reyes PRODUCTION MANAGER

Jane Pojawa DESIGN ADVISER

Charles Eastman FACULTY ADVISER

ADVERTISING

Michael Moreau Jeff Smith

mmoreau@glendale.edu (818) 551-5214

jsmith@glendale.edu (818) 240-1000, ext. 1427

El Vaquero accepts story ideas in news, features, profiles, sports and entertainment from the public. To submit an idea or an article, e-mail the editor at editor@elvaq.com or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349.

Send Letters to the Editor

Letters may be reproduced in full or in part and represent only the point of view of the writer, not the opinion of El Vaquero or Glendale Community College and its district. Letters must be signed and typed and include the full name and address of the writer. El Vaquero is a First Amendment publication.

EL VAQUERO 1500 N. Verdugo Road Glendale, CA 91208 (818) 240-1000 ext. 5349 Member of the Journalism Asssociation of Community Colleges

Send E-mail to: Editor@elvaq.com First copy free Additional copies $.25

Letter to the Editor:

State is Heading the Wrong Way

by Slashing Education Funding I’ve never seen an article with the title “Increase in Education Budget” in the newspaper. However, I’ve seen a lot of articles with “Education Budget Cut” or “Another Tuition Increase in UC and CSU.” The state of California has been cutting the education budget from its total expenditures for several years.

Public institutions are receiving less and less money from the government. However, the governor of California is not coming up with a solution for increasing the education budget [Editor’s note: governor-elect Jerry Brown takes office Jan. 3, 2011], and they say there are no other areas in which to cut expenditures but education. This does not make any sense to me at all. The entire budget is not solely spent on education. There are many other areas where a good portion of state revenues are spent. Therefore, education should not be the victim of getting large budget cuts every time.

Should education be on the top of the list of the budget cuts? The answer is no. I firmly believe that our future lies in the hands of young people, and the hope for a better future is to educate them.

Hundreds of thousands of students are enrolled in public schools. They learn new material and gain knowledge in school. In fact, educational institutions are the place where students are trained to make a better future when they come out of school. This opportunity is being taken away due to the education budget cut.

Obviously, the education budget cut has largely impacted all those community colleges, California State Universities, and University of California because all those schools are supposedly supported by the state government. The class size is getting larger and larger on many UC campuses. In some classes, the ratio of professor to student is 1:200.

This large class size just decreases the quality of

education. Thus, students are not getting what they are supposed to get from the university.

Since many educational institutions cannot maintain their programs and classes, they often raise the tuition. Recently, there was another tuition increase in UC and CSU universities. Of course, all these tuition increases put more pressure on parents who have to pay for their children. It portends that there will be more and more students who will drop out of college, not because they don’t want to be educated, but because they simply can’t afford it.

It’s the students who are getting hit by higher tuition and the poor quality of education.

The bigger problem is that adults, who are deciding to cut the educational budget, are expecting young people to solve this financial problem in California by assuming the financial burden themselves. However, they have no right to expect young people to solve this problem because young people are not getting education due to budget cuts.

Students can’t get the classes that they need to take, and their class sizes are just getting larger and larger. Also, a number of classes are disappearing from the class catalog every semester. There is no way for us, young people, to make changes in the future if we can’t get an education.

I believe that California is taking the wrong path with dramatic education budget cuts every year. The education budget should not be on the top of the list of budget cuts; it should be placed at the bottom. The state of California has to come up with an answer in a very short time. It cannot keep cutting the education budget and expect educational institutions to increase their tuition. The state government really needs to stop just looking at the present; it needs to look ahead.

— Ji Hee Yang, student

IN THIS ISSUE

On the Cover:

NOVEMBER 24, 2010 VOLUME 96 News

NUMBER 6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

-4

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Center Spread

Tammy Panich made Glendale history by being the first golfer — man or woman — to win a state title when she caged the Women’s State Golf Title by two strokes at the 2010 Women’s Golf State Championships held at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills on Nov. 15 and 16, an event sponsored by the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 - 7

Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

WANTED: WANTE D:

El Vaquero is always looking for interesting story ideas.

Do you know of anyone on campus with a compelling life story? Are you involved with an innovative campus program that the whole campus should know about? Do you have any ideas for improving the campus experience? Have you witnessed a possible news story that we may not know about?

Please contact us at:

Letters to the editor.. .

What’s On Your

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10

editor@elvaq.com or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5349.

Mind?

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

3

NEWS

Board Postpones Software Payment

By Nik Brkic

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

I

n a unanimous decision, the Board of Trustees decided to postpone the reallocation of $550,000 from the Measure G fund toward paying PeopleSoft.

The board made its decision at the Nov. 15 meeting at the Garfield Campus.

Both President Anthony Tartaglia and board member Vahe Peroomian described PeopleSoft as a “black hole.” Tartaglia also said he wanted to see a timeline of just how the money has been spent.

PeopleSoft is the software company that Glendale College contracted to use for services including the student registration.

There have been many problems with the software thus far.

Measure G is a $98-million facilities bond measure used for projects such as: upgrading electrical and technology infrastructure, campus buildings, structures, walkways and road safety.

There was a consensus among the board members that they did not want to simply throw good money at the problem.

Superintendent/President Dawn Lindsay said she plans to have an accountability audit done by an outside company. The audit will show who is not doing their job, and in the end, whether that is PeopleSoft or the Glendale administration.

Michael Scott, president of

Glendale City Council Passes Landmark Green Resolution

By Adriana Orellana EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he Glendale City Council passed a sustainability resolution on Nov. 9, which will take Glendale down the path to becoming a greener and more environmentally friendly community, as well as protecting the health of residents.

The resolution states that local government actions will be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will increase efficiency by providing local benefits, including decreasing air pollution, creating jobs, reducing energy expenditures and saving money for the local government, its businesses, and its residents.

“The accord will lead the city in reducing energy consumption, renewable energy, recycling, zero waste, recreational open space, protecting drinking water and habitat, locally grown organic food, reducing single occupant vehicle trips, reducing toxics, green building, and neighborhood planning,” said Mayor Ara Najarian said at the city council meeting.

The resolution also states that sustainability means sustaining society in the long term by meeting current environmental, social and economic needs while ensuring that future generations can meet their own needs.

Glendale adopted a strategic goal in the City’s Long Range Plan to lead the way toward a sustainable future, in order to promote a healthy and safe environment for all its residents, also stated in the resolution.

“The public wants this and the voting on Nov. 2 which allowed AB 32 to remain in effect showed that,” said Michael Reed, associate professor of geography and the college’s sustainability coordinator.

AB 32 is an environmental law signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger in 2006, which aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emission levels in California back to the levels of 1990 by the year 2020.

The request for Najarian to sign the sustainability resolution and the United Nations Urban Environmental [See Sustainability, page 4]

the Academic Senate, raised the question of how much will be spent on the audit. Lindsay said that she would be able to conduct an audit for under $15,000 without board approval.

The board decided to postpone any decision on the matter until the Jan. 24 meeting.

Scott Wilk of Anchor Consulting gave a presentation on the projects that the college seeks to fund.

Projects that are priorities for the college are a campus shuttle from the Garfield campus to the main campus, a retaining wall for the laboratory college services building, funding for the Verdugo Water and Power Academy and improved campus safety.

Wilk said that the funding for the Power Academy was likely to happen in the short term. The amount of money will be less than the college has asked for. The college asked for $600,000 and they will likely receive $180,000.

After Wilk spoke, Edward Karpp, an associate dean of Institutional Research & Planning, gave a presentation on how Glendale fared on the Accountability Recording for Community Colleges (ARCC).

ARCC was created after the bill

AB1417 was passed. This bill has established annual evaluations of community college performances in meeting statewide educational outcome standards.

There are eight different standards that are used in the ARCC progress rates: students that complete 30 or more units, persistence rates, success in vocational courses, basic skills course completion, basic skills improvement, ESL improvement and CDCP (certificate) non-credit competition.

Glendale ranks well in many of the categories. The two that Glendale struggles with are basic skills competition and basic skills improvement.

Peroomian took issue with the persistence rate of Glendale College. The persistence rate measures the percentage of firsttime students who return to the college the next year. Glendale’s persistence rate is 73.1 percent, but has been going down for four years.

“One or two years don’t make a trend, but four years is,” Peroomian said. “It is easier for us to keep the students we have than to go out and recruit new ones.”

Vice President of Student

Services Ricardo Perez, talked about the successes of the Glendale athletics program. He said both the men and women’s cross country teams won conference titles.

Perez also said that women’s golfer Tammy Panich won the first conference title in school history for that sport.

Perez said that this semester there were more than 800 applicants for the scholarships that Glendale College offers. A total of 1,000 students applied all of last year. Perez said he expects the final number of applicants for this year to be between 1,400 and 1,600.

Executive Vice President Ron Nakasone gave an overview of the college’s financial outlook. “The budget is basically balanced,” Nakasone said. He said that this was possible due to an increase in growth revenues, a rebate from Blue Shield, the health insurance company that covers most employees, and money from Cal Works.

The next meeting will be held Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. in Kreider Hall.

Nik Brkic can be reached at nik_brkic@elvaq.com

4

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

www.elvaq.com

NEWS

Panich Captures College’s 1st State Golf Title

By Derek Stowe

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

[Cover story]

G

lendale sophomore Tammy Panich became the first in school history — man or woman — to capture a state golf title by winning the 2010 state individual golf championship at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills on Nov. 15 and 16.

Panich and Kayla Riede of Sacramento City College were tied for first with 150 after the two-day, 36-hole tournament.

In a card-off to determine the winner, judges added up their scores on the back nine holes of the final day, and Panich carded a 36 compared to Riede’s 38.

This California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) event, which is designed to encourage sportsmanship, desire and discipline at a high level of competition, rewarded the best six individuals and three teams out of the state’s 39 qualifying women golfers.

Hosted by Saddleback College of Mission Viejo it marked the end of the women’s golf season.

For the competition under sunny skies, there were 15 players from Glendale, Mt. San Jacinto, Bakersfield, Mt. San Antonio, Desert, Santa Barbara City, Butte, Sierra, Reedley, Fresno City, Folsom Lake, and Cañada College; and four sixwoman teams from Irvine Valley, College of the Canyons, Modesto and Sacramento City College.

No one could out-do Panich.

“One girl from Irvine last week shot a 69, but this week a 78,” said Todd Panich during the event hoping to see his daughter Tammy clinch the state final. He followed her every shot and had to whisper so as not to distract her from her game.

The Los Serranos Country Club’s north course is of professional circuit quality and has many tricky elements.

“Down hill is so difficult,” said Todd watching one of Tammy’s competitors lose control of her putt down a sloping green. “You can’t stop it. It’s a nightmare sometimes — [the ball just] keeps rolling.”

After making GCC history by taking home a conference crown with four birdies at the Western

State Conference championship in Ojai on Nov. 1, Panich qualified for the state finals at the Southern California regional at the Alisal River Golf Course in Solvang on Nov. 8, by coming in second.

Dana Miller, spectator and mother of Bakersfield’s golfer Malea Miller, said, “The course is a par 74 but has so many bunkers.

They’ve got to be right on with their shots — trust themselves.”

“It looks like the Grand Canyon,” said Miller about the bunker at the 16th hole where her daughter got stuck the first day and took four shots to get out.

“You just feel so sorry for them.”

Later on, Malea, whose combined total was 161, said it wasn’t until day two on the 15th hole that she finally started to get a read for the green.

A friend of Panich’s as well as her course rival, Malea said, “It was a good experience playing with Tammy. She’s a nice girl and fun to play with. I’m going to miss her. Greg [Osbourne] is a very good coach, [too]. He’d be fun to have.”

“Tammy was right on,” said Dana about Panich’s performance the first day. “She was right

down the middle…over the trees and always right onto the middle of the fairway. I think she has a really good chance to win today.”

Coach Osbourne was allowed to advise Panich and others as long as they weren’t on the green or in the hazards including bunkers.

All the golfers know Osbourne

and welcome his interpretation of the terrain. “He really knows the game,” said Dana.

The CCCAA committee determined that, unlike NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I where coaches are allowed to [See Panich, Page 5]

City Council [Sustainibility, from page 3]

Accord was made by Hassan Haghani, director of community planning and general manager of Glendale Water and Power, who said that signing it would qualify the city for future grants that will help the city in forwarding the sustainability programs already initiated.

The Urban Environmental Accords has 21 specific goals within seven areas, which are energy, waste reduction, urban design, urban nature, transportation, environmental health, and water. It was a new project introduced at a United Nations meeting in 2005 by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who was elected lieutenant governor of California Nov. 2.

The implementation statement of the Urban Environmental Accords says it will require and open, transparent, and participatory dialogue between government, community groups, businesses, academic institutions, and other key partners.

It also says that from the beginning of the accords and the World Environment Day 2012, cities shall work to implement as many of the actions as possible.

“It is a very broad report and we are pushing forward in all those fronts, under the guidance of Mr. Haghani and his staff, Glendale Water and Power, and others involved,” said Najarian at the meeting.

Glendale Community College has an Environmental Affairs Committee, which has set as their mission to raise campus awareness of sustainability and support the implementation of sustainable practices across the college campus. In a survey taken

by Reed last spring, results showed that more than 90 percent of the college faculty and staff believed the college needed to move in a greener direction, and 40 percent of them believed that it should be done even if it cost money.

“Environmental sustainability is critically important to Glendale Community College,” said Reed, who is also chair of GCC’s environmental affairs committee. “In the spirit of striving to provide leadership and resources to the City of Glendale and students, the college commits to purchasing environmentally friendly and energy-efficient products and equipment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the college, using recycled and recyclable materials, and developing administrative and training procedures in conformity with the policy.”

Among the Environmental Affairs Committee’s additional proposals to committing to the college’s sustainability; are minimizing the generation of solid waste, accessing renewable energy sources, reducing student and staff commuting, nurturing environmental stewardship and environmental literacy across the curriculum, and regularly measuring and assessing the performance toward the goals.

Reed said that he will meet soon with President Dawn Lindsay to discuss the Environmental Affairs committee’s proposal policy on sustainability, which he hopes will be in front of the board of trustees before the end of the year so the college can adopt the policy.

Adriana Orellana can be reached at adriana_orellana@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

5

FEATURES

Golfer Wins State Championship [Panich, from page 4] communicate with the players, at community college competitions coaches are not permitted to speak to their players in order to speed up play. But state championship players are assumed to be advanced enough to keep pace even while listening to directives from their coach.

“The only credit I deserve is [for the fact] that I’m still standing,” said Osbourne modestly. “If [Panich] can win this, she’s going to get a full scholarship to another college, which is great. [She should] reap the rewards.”

The 3rd hole was a par five and one of the most challenging for Panich, who bogeyed the hole in six shots. She hit a very good drive of nearly 230 yards.

Her second shot was with a three-wood, which went about 200 yards. Then, for the final 100 yards up the hill, Osbourne advised her to use a 9-iron, or a spoon, which looks like a driver but has a wedge-like angle of 45 degrees. She thought she hit it pretty well, but it hit the lip of the green and fell back into the bunker. She didn’t expect that.

She got out of the bunker with her skillful wedge play landing the ball some 5 feet from the hole. And then, she just missed her par-putt, so she ended up with a bogey.

“I just had to forget about it,” said Panich later on. “I can’t be thinking about it, so I just moved on.” She parred the next hole, which was a good comeback from a bogey.

For More

online stories, more photos, slide shows and breaking news.

To join online forums, discussion boards, comment on articles, and add events to the calendar go to

www. elvaq .com

Panich had bad luck on the 5th hole. “I hit my drive into the left bunker and [the ball] ended up leaning against a piece of wood.” It was a stick about 1 foot long that seemed like it could have been an exposed tree root. She had to wait for a rule official for instructions. She ended up dropping a new ball a club’s distance from the bunker and playing both balls up into the hole to see which one came out best — they both came out the same — a five-shot bogey.

On the back nine, Panich shot a birdie on the 10th hole. It was a short hole of only 125 yards with a bunker and a pond guarding the green. With a keen sense of distance, Panich lofted the ball with her 8-iron to within 4 ½ feet of the flag. Then with her pinkhandled putter she polished off the hole.

“That’s the putt that went in,” she said laughing off her numerous missed opportunities where 5, 8 or 12-foot putts came very close, but were either too short or ended up just to the left or right of the cup. Nonetheless, Panich was able to focus on the immediate hole instead of dwelling on missed birdie attempts.

The 13th hole was her most memorable. It was a 440-yard, downhill par five with a dogleg right. Panich cut the corner and drove the ball down the fairway to nearly 150 yards from the green.

She shot the ball onto the green in two and putted it in. It was one of her week’s rare birdies.

Reflecting back on her final turn at the 18th hole, Panich said, “Bad luck again — my ball in the bunker was not in a very good lie.

But I got up on the green, and I was really confident even though my putting had not been good the whole day.

I was sure I was going to make the putt, so I just walked up to it and hit it. I thought it was going in because of the feeling I had, and it was going the way I wanted it to go. And then it went in the hole but lipped out. I hit it a little too hard. But if you hit it too softly, its [straight] line might change.”

Bad luck or not, it didn’t matter. It was a done deal.

In the two-day, two-round match up, the top four players shot even par 74 on the second day. After Panich (150) and Riede (150) were Tina Yang of Mt. San Jacinto (152) third,

Krista Fenniak of Desert (155) fourth, Nicole Rivera of Irvine Valley (155) fifth and Arica Rodriguez of Mt. San Antonio (156) sixth.

Riede, who stared at the final score postings with tears in her eyes, had also been last year’s runner up with a 36-hole total of 155.

Irvine Valley College (650) took home its first team trophy.

College of the Canyons (654) came in second, and Sacramento City (661) took third. For all those who competed or observed, the 2010 Women’s Golf State Championships undoubtedly left a lifelong impression.

Panich showed she could keep her cool even under intense pressure. After three days of hauling her clubs the length of the Los Serranos’ north course including a Sunday practice round, Panich said her feet were sore but that it was all worth it.

She was pretty excited.

“What a surprise!” said Panich, who thought she was sure to lose after missing so many makeable putts. Until the state finals, Panich hadn’t considered her short game to be a problem, so she focused mainly on her long game. “My putting has always been there,” she said. But with a fast course and butterflies in her stomach, her putting was definitely off its mark.

Athletics division chair Jon Gold said, “This is huge —especially since there was so much holding back on the [women’s golf] program by the board [of trustees].

Nobody wanted to fund it until some alumni were going to provide everything. Then Greg stepped up and had a sleepless summer putting this together, getting Tammy and trying to find kids.

[Panich] probably would have run away with this one if she had been hitting on.”

“This solidified our program,” said Coach Osbourne. “[From now on,] we’re going to have solid gold every time.”

With a brand new gold medallion on a red ribbon, Panich said, “winning state has showed me that I can accomplish everything I want as long as I work hard and believe in myself.

I am one step closer to reaching my goal, which is to play on tour.”

Derek Stowe can be reached at derek_stowe@elvaq.com

ASGCC Student Talent Show Lights Up Plaza Vaquero

Photo by Isiah Reyes

AT LAST: Katie White dazzles the crowd with her rendition of Etta James’ hit song “At Last” in the ASGCC’s talent show last Tuesday. Ultimately, the first place award went to Armanoush Boudaghians, also a promising chanteuse. The prize for first place was a $100 certificate for the college bookstore.

By Luis Rodriguez

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

S

tudents showed off their musical abilities at the talent show sponsored by ASGCC, which took place at PlazaVaquero, on Nov. 16. All the winners received a gift certificate for the school bookstore.

Danielle Francisco, 19, a business major, opened the show with the song “Chasing Pavements” by Adele. “I thought it would be bigger, but I thought it was a good opportunity,” she said. “I thought it would be better organized, but there should be more events like this.”

Armanoush Boudaghians sang “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack. She later returned to sing the song “On My Own”.

Hakob Manuelyan, 19, played an instrumental guitar solo. “I just took the time to make rhythms,” he said. The glare from the pedal caused the abrupt stop during my set. I appreciate the gift certificate and I enjoyed the show.”

Katie White, 20, a science major, sang “At Last” by Etta James. She started out with a microphone that was too loud.

She apologized for the loudness and sang a capella.

She said, “I’m just glad I sang to everyone. Don’t care if I win.

I’ve been singing since I was six months old. It all started with me singing la-la-la in my crib. I took voice lessons since I was 16.”

Samuel Darsono, 17, a theater major played the song “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You,” by Glenn Medeiros on his acoustic guitar and dedicated it to an anonymous special someone.

He said, “It’s a miracle I won, I just have to sing for people.” His words for the crowd were “Keep smiling and be blessed.”

The first place winner was Boudaghians. The second place winner was Manuelyan, and the third place winner was Darsono.

Luis Rodriguez can be reached at luis_rodriquez@elvaq.com

6

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Vaquero Basketball Preview

Photo by Louis Roche Jr.

Photo by Richard Kontas

Photo by Louis Roche Jr.

BASKETBALL SEASON TIPS OFF IN STYLE: The men’s hoopers Tip-off Tournament was held Nov. 12 and 13 at GCC. Pictured above left Glendale’s Robert McQueen, 40, goes up for two points. Far right upper, Vaquero Narbeh Ebrahimian drives past Compton on the way to another score. The women’s Shoot-out Tournament was held Friday through Sunday at GCC. Pictured top center, Daniella Ruvalcaba, 22, posts up against an Irvine defender. Bottom center, Michelle Ecler, 10, drives past a defender enroute to a basket.

Photo by Richard Kontas

7

8

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

www.elvaq.com

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT  





 







Film

 

reviews

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





‘Hallow’ Victory for Harry Potter

By Agnes Constante EL VAQUERO COPY EDITOR

M

ost 17-year-old wizards would be preparing to finish their final year of school.

But for the Boy Who Lived, becoming of age is a completely different story.

In “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1,” directed

by David Yates (“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” 2009), Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his best friends, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” 2007) and Hermione Granger (Emma

Watson, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” 2004), don’t attend what would be their final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, instead they prepare for the battle against Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes, “Schindler’s List,” 1993).

As Harry nears his 17th birthday, he comes closer to reaching the age of maturity in the wizarding world and losing the protection from dark forces he receives by calling 4 Privet Drive his home. In light of this, the Order of the Phoenix moves him out of the Dursleys’ house before he turns 17.

The order believes Voldemort has invaded the Ministry of Magic, and because Harry is at this point still an underage wizard, the ministry possesses the ability to track his whereabouts.

To avoid being hunted down by the dark lord, the Order has six others take on Harry’s physical appearance by ingesting Polyjuice Potion. The Order hopes this will confuse Voldemort incase Harry is tracked down while he is being transported from Privet Drive.

The Order’s precautionary measures prove useful as Death Eaters, Voldemort’s followers, end up trailing behind and

launching attacks at the group.

In the process, a member of the Order is killed.

Ron’s brother Bill comes home to wed former Tri-Wizard contestant and Beauxbatons student Fleur Delacour. During the reception of the couple’s wedding, Death Eaters attack again. At this point Harry, Ron and Hermione disapparate and embark on their search for the remaining horcruxes - the artifacts needed to destroy Voldemort.

Along the way, the three encounter the father of Hogwarts student Luna Lovegood, Xenophilius Lovegood, who

helps them understand that three objects comprise the Deathly Hallows, and that the wizard that reunites the three will become the Master of Death. Harry realizes that Voldemort is after one of these objects, and this makes him even more determined to stop the Dark Lord.

To account for the length of the final book in the popular series by J.K. Rowling, it has been split into two movies. Part I concludes in a well thought-out cliffhanger that is sure to leave fans eager for the final film.

[See Harry Potter, page 9]

Don’t Get ‘Stuck’ Watching This Noir Tribute

By Rachel Elizabeth Mills EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

F

Photo by Maryann Bates

BAD GIRL: Pleasant Gehman plays “Dutch,” a reluctant cop-killer in “Stuck,” Steve Balderson’s tribute to the “Women Behind Bars” genre.

ranz Kafka wrote a surreal book called “The Trial,” which was turned into a movie. It is one of the most bizarre books ever written. It is about a man being tried for an unknown crime, who never meets his accusers and doesn’t know how to defend himself.

“Stuck!” a movie produced

by Steve Balderson, is strangely reminiscent of this literary work.

The movie is written and directed

by Balderson and is co-written by Frankie Krainz and Jon Niccum.

Balderson’s production company, Dikenga Films, has made other cult and non-mainstream movies such as “Watch Out” and “Underbelly.”

Shot in black and white, the movie starts with Daisy (Starina Johnson, “Watch Out” 2008) walking in on her mother, (September Carter), who is about to commit suicide. From there, Daisy is wrongly convicted of her mother’s murder and soon she is sentenced to death. When she arrives on death row, her life becomes a living hell, due to the most evil prison warden (Stacy Cunningham) in history.

Other than the warden, Daisy meets a slew of other women on death row. Meme (Susan Traylor) is doing time for killing her four husbands. Princess (Jane

Wiedlin), a woman who killed her own baby is in Meme’s cell and usually repeats the last thing Meme says. It’s never really understood exactly what crime, Ester (Mink Stole), a strict Christian woman, did to get into prison, but she’s there. And finally, Dutch (Pleasant Gehman) is in jail for killing a cop by accident.

Maybe it’s the sentencing process that makes this movie’s plot vaguely familiar to that of “The Trial.” Daisy’s conviction process does not seem at all authentic or real. The events subsequently make it seem even more surreal.

Daisy’s next-door neighbor, the one who called the crime in to the authorities, is part of a dual plot while Daisy is on death row.

She thought that she saw Daisy kill her mother, but suddenly she second guesses herself and is stuck without knowing what really happened.

It’s clear that this movie is supposed to inspire the feeling of watching an old film noir, but it falls flat with the outrageous plot. Not only that, but the actual film quality of this piece of work is just weak. Is the budget of this film equal to that of Kevin Smith’s first film, “Clerks”?

At least Smith’s film was entertaining. This film was just boring and disturbing at some points.

The only redeeming aspect of this film is that Daisy and Dutch find themselves falling in love along the way. Their last moments together are touching.

The rest of the casts’ interactions and their treatment of Daisy are downright unforgivable. The warden is just too mean. She even lets Daisy be gang raped by a few of her adoring fans.

There is an element to this film that is weird and it is unclear as to what the director and writers were attempting to portray by having a such a random character in the film. The character in question is a black woman who wears glasses. Is she supposed to be important and if she is what is her importance? Nothing in this film helps the audience understand the answers to these questions.

A viewer usually watches a movie to experience one of the two “E’s” (to be entertained or enlightened). This movie does neither. It just leaves the viewer wishing she had saved herself the time, and had not seen this movie that seems stuck with being a less than average film.

Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

 Rachel Mills can be reached at rachel_mills@elvaq.com

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

9

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT / SPORTS

Harry Potter Movie Review

HARRY GETS SCARY: Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, as Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, have dropped out of Hogwarts to battle Lord Voldemort, arguably the most evil wizard of all time. “Harry Potter” fans spent $125 million at the box office last weekend to see this highly-anticipated sequel.

[Harry Potter, from page 8] have remarkably improved and Harry’s search for the remaining pieces of Voldemort’s soul, embodied in the horcruxes, takes up much of the screen time in this film, and while he and his best friends manage to find and one of the seven during this time, what’s also notable are the emotional struggles each of the three endure.

In figuring out how to eliminate the horcrux, Harry, Ron and Hermione take turns wearing the object around their necks to keep it safe. The longer each of them wears the horcrux, the more sinister each of them becomes, which in turn causes emotional strain on the three best friends.

Radcliffe, Grint and Watson effectively deliver the internal conflicts their respective characters experience throughout the film, making the strain and tension among the three teenagers plausible. Compared to their acting in earlier films, the stars of the Harry Potter franchise

grown alongside Harry, Ron and Hermione.

As in the previous Harry Potter films, music is an important element that adds an important element that added to the drama and suspense of the plot.

The locations selected for Harry’s journey throughout the movie are interesting choices, including a beach, unseen in the previous films. They provide fresh visuals that enhance the respective scenes.

Part one of the Deathly Hallows is sure to captivate audiences’ attention and satisfy Harry Potter fans.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” is rated PG-13 for scenes of action violence and frightening images. Runtime is 146 minutes.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

 Agnes Constante can be reached at Agnes_Constante@elvaq.com

Lady Vaqs Lose Valiantly to Citrus

By Derek Stowe

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

E

ven with outside hitter Jessica “smash-the-ball” Alvarez, the Lady Vaqs could not muster enough fight, losing three out of four sets to the Citrus College Owls 25-13, 25-18, 26-24 and 25-20 in its final challenge of the season on Nov. 16.

Because this was their last time playing together, GCC was honoring sophomores Jessica Alvarez, Cindyline Sevilla, Roxanne Domines, Ana Flores and Brittany Frederick.

In an invigorating match-up, the Lady Vaqs gave game one to the Owls but came back strong in game two to win it 25-18. The boisterous crowd was on its feet during most of the game-three nail-biter.

Although Alvarez showed her usual aggression, she missed a few too many spikes, and some simple last-minute errors really hurt the Vaqueros.

Citrus Coach Shin Jung said it was the ability to make quick adjustments that enabled his team to dust-off the forceful Lady Vaqs.

“Glendale made a lot of good adjustments in the second set,” he said. “They did a lot of roll-shot tips on us. In the third set we got

lucky. [The Vaqs] had a five-point lead at the beginning, and we just had to chip away. My girls did a good job of staying calm and not trying to over-swing. It was a very fun match to watch and a fun match to coach.”

GCC Coach Yvette Ybarra didn’t have much to say after the disheartening loss. Ending the roller-coaster season on a sour note was not what she had in mind. “We just lost our momentum,” she said. “I did see some good things, but the things that hurt us were the things that hurt us all season long.”

Ybarra was referring to errors such as dropped balls, bad blocks, missed serves and hands in the net. Also, players need clear communication and teamwork— point out openings, put up good sets, warn where the ball might go and keep everyone’s energy up.

Throughout the night, the fans cheered like GCC might somehow eke out a win, but to no avail.

With a height advantage at the net, the Owls kept up a solid three-woman wall that was largely impenetrable. Some balls came back like lightning and were clearly going out, but the Vaqs tried to return the impossible

shots anyway.

Courtney Reid, former middle blocker for GCC volleyball said, “It’s hard. Every game is different. That’s why the practice drills really pay off. Coach Ybarra is really a wonderful coach. She finds out what each player’s strengths are and how to improve their weaknesses.”

Co-captain Alvarez, who had 16 kills, 21 hitting attempts and 13 hitting errors, said the Vaqs energy just plummeted in set three. “We should have been on the same page from the start.

We never got that connection between each other — it takes solid teamwork.”

Co-captain and setter Roxanne Domines, who had 25 setting assists, one kill and three hitting attempts, said the Vaqs played this game so much better than their other games, but they just didn’t finish it right. “Our errors hurt us. Whenever I can, I look over at Coach for the play to set, and she’s always right.”

Outside hitter Cindyline Sevilla, who had seven kills, 13 hitting attempts and 10 hitting errors, said the Vaqueros gave it their all. “It was our last game so at least we know that we tried hard. But we need a lot of communication, energy on the

court and we have to work hard.”

Outside hitter and middle blocker, freshmen Sara Kert who had 11 kills, 14 hitting attempts and four hitting errors said, “I’m coming back next year. We need to work together, always having each other’s back. [For example,] if somebody makes a mistake, tell them, its OK, you got the next one.”

Encouraging each other and working together is the name of the game, said Kert. “That’s what makes you a better player — to find that strength in yourself to bounce back after an error. The season was pretty rough, but I think it was a learning season. We learned from our mistakes, and I learned so much in this season — how important teamwork is and how important your attitude on the court is.”

“I wish we could rewind and take that [as a] win,” said assistant coach Maria Olilang. “But you win some, you lose some. If they want it [bad enough], they’ll take it.”

Olilang, who’s in charge of recruitment, said that this fall, she went to as many high school games as she could to find recruits for next season.

Capping off the season with a great effort yet tough loss brought the women’s volleyball record to a final 6 and 17. Losing a wellplayed game was bitter-sweet for the Lady Vaqs as well as for their fans, but the sophomores closed out the season with honor nonetheless. For the remaining freshmen at least, there’s always next year.

Derek Stowe can be reached at derek_stowe@elvaq.com

Have you seen our campus magazine?

Online Exclusives at:

gccinsider.com

10

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

www.elvaq.com

SPORTS

Vaquero’s Dominate Tip-Off Tourney Men’s

By Brandon Gardner EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

G

lendale dominated The Vaquero Men’s Basketball Tip-off Tournament by winning first place over Compton College,

Victor Valley College, and Santa Barbara College on Nov. 12 and 13 at Glendale College.

On the first day of the tournament, Glendale played Victor Valley College, subduing them by a final score of 80 to 67.

At the beginning of the first half the Vaqueros struggled with

Women’s Shootout

By Luis Rodriguez

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

T

he Lady Vaqs basketball team started out the season by participating in the Vaquero Shootout last weekend.

Unfortunately, they did not do well in the tournament.

On Friday, Irvine Valley beat Glendale by a score of 62-44.

Coach Carrie Miller said, “We got hurt on the offensive floor and the other team capitalized on those opportunities.”

Glendale was scheduled to play against Palomar on Saturday, but the game was canceled due to several injuries on the Palomar squad. Glendale won the game by forfeit.

Sunday’s consolation game against the Ventura Pirates was fast-paced and exciting, but the Lady Vaqs lost 71-43. During the first half, The Vaqs and Ventura were evenly matched on the court, with Ventura leading by a score of 33-22.

Sophomore Chelsea Baquiero led The Vaqs with a team-high 16 points, including two rebounds and one blocked shot. Freshman, Michelle Eclar, had eight points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Freshman guard, Alexandra Mancillas, had nine points and six rebounds.

Pirates forward Destinee LaFountain, scored six points.

Guard Ariel Hale, scored six points and then missed two free throws after getting tripped by Glendale guard, Gabriela Silva.

Forward Blake Hudson, had nine points and seven rebounds, and guard Rebecca Griffin, had 12 points and six assists.

“They’re learning, they’re growing, and they play hard,” Miller said. They’re not doing the little things. (The Pirates) have good defense. That hurt us again.

It’s nothing we can’t clean up and improve on. Hopefully they’ll get it and it’ll snap,” Coach Miller said.

“We still have time to get things together and make some things happen. We have some potential on this team. Once they get the offense thing it’ll be fun to see what they’re capable of.

The girls play hard, but it’s the little things. As long as we work on those, things will start coming together,” Coach Miller said.

Luis Rodriguez can be reached at luis_rodriquez@elvaq.com

a series of turnovers. Fortunately Victor Valley led the game only briefly.

A ground-shaking dunk by Victor Valley in the first half tied the score at 12-12. Fortunately, minutes later, GCC scored a three-point shot making the score 15-12.

When Glendale took the lead, they would never look back.

Throughout the game numerous fouls were called on both teams. It seemed like the score was mainly based on free throws, which Glendale made time after time.

“We did pretty well,” said point guard Danny Lawton.

“Better than we expected. A little physical. Better than what I expected,” Lawton said in regards to Victor Valley’s performance.

Though Glendale managed to beat Victor Valley, the game would have been much less of a

struggle had Glendale managed to eliminate several turnovers.

“We need to work on our turnovers,” said shooting guard Nate Bryant. “We played a very good team today,” he added. “If we run our plays right, we’ll win, but we need to work as a team.”

“Everything got better in the second half,” center Antonio Garrett said. The Vaqueros struggled in the first half as each team fought to take the lead throughout the game. “We got back in transition pretty well,” he added. “We’ve got to stay on transition. That’s what it’s all about.”

The Vaqueros smoothened out the rough edges of their play, and went on to lead numerous times throughout the second half.

“We had little jitters,” Coach Brian Beauchemin said. But the team “got past that,” he added.

“Everyone’s feeling things out.”

Earlier that day, Santa Barbara College was slaughtered by Compton College. The Vaquero win against Victor Valley College would mean that the Vaquero’s would play Compton the following day.

“It’s going to be an up and down game,” Beauchemin said.

“We’ve got to have patience.”

The following day Glendale faced a challenging game against Compton. As Beauchemin said the day before, it was going to be an up and down game.

Fortunately in overtime, Glendale beat Compton by a final score of 98-91 and won the tournament. Second place went to Compton College with third place going to Santa Barbara College.

Glendale is certainly off to a promising start this season.

See photos pages 6-7 Brandon Gardnercan be reached at brandon_gardner@elvaq.com

Vaquero Sports Summaries Scores Men’s and Women’s Cross Country: Nov. 21 — State Championship at Fresno Women’s team finished second Men’s team finished sixth

Men’s Basketball: Nov. 12-13 — Vaquero Tip off Tournament beat Victor Valley 80-67 Friday beat Compton 98-91 Saturday

Women’s Golf: Nov. 16 — State Championships Tammy Panich won state individual title at Los Serranos Golf Club in Chino Hills

Nov. 17 beat L.A. Pierce 75-57 Record is 3-0

Women’s Volleyball: Nov. 16 —lost to Citrus College 25-13, 18-25, 26-24, and 25-20 Final record is 6-17 overall and 2-10 WSC

Women’s Basketball: Nov. 19-21 — Vaquero Shootout lost to Irvine Valley Friday 62-44 beat Palomar by Forfeit Saturday lost to Ventura 73-41 Sunday Record is 1-4

Upcoming Events Men’s Basketball Dec. 3-5 — Antelope Valley Tournament Antelope Valley TBA

Women’s Basketball: Friday-Sunday — Los Angeles Pierce Tourney Pierce College TBA Dec. 3 — San Bernardino Valley College San Bernardino 6:00 p.m.

The men’s and women’s cross country teams officially closed out the fall season Saturday with outstanding performances at the state meet in Fresno. The women’s team finished second overall and the men took sixth as Angie Martinez, Alyssa Selve, Brianna Jauregui and Keri Molt earned All-American honors for the women and Rico Gutierrez was an All-American for the men with his six place finish.

The women were the defending state champions from 2009 and also took first in 2007 and was the runner-up team in 2008. The men took third in state in 2009.

Congratulation to the cross country teams and all the student-athletes that represented Glendale College in the fall of 2010!

Photo by Louis Roche Jr.

CAN’T TOUCH THIS: Lady Vaquero guard Gabriela Silva, 33, prepares to drive past an Irvine Valley defender for the score at the Vaquero Shootout.

Alex Leon Sports Information Director

For more information see: http://www.glendale.edu/athletics/

www.elvaq.com

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010

11

CALENDAR On Campus EVENTS Holiday Drive — The Inter-Organizational Council is collecting canned goods and personal hygiene products to help the local community. Ends today. Donation boxes are located in the Student Center.

Campus Closed — Thursday to Saturday for Thanksgiving.

Election Candidate Open Forum — Get more information on the ASGCC candidates. Monday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Kreider Hall.

Holiday Event — Celebrate the holidays in Plaza Vaquero on Tuesday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Presented by ASGCC - Campus Activities.

ASGCC Elections — Elections for student government positions.

Dec. 1 and 2 in Plaza Vaquero from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Medical Club Meeting — The club is looking for new members.

Guest speakers talk about medical school and professional experiences There are also field trips.

Meets every Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. in SF104.

Holiday Ceramics Sale — Featuring stoneware, porcelain, raku, majolica and more. Visa and Mastercard accepted. Dec. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. in SC212.

MUSIC Applied Music Recital — Instrumentalists and vocalists from the Applied Music Program perform. Coordinated by Bethany Pflueger at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Auditorium Mainstage Theatre. Free. For information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5829.

College Choir, Chamber Singers and Opera Vignettes Concert — Featuring holiday music and works by Lauridsen, Mozart, Gilbert & Sullivan, Rutter, and Handel. Directed by Jayne Campbell. Dec. 4. 7:30 p.m. Auditorium Mainstage Theatre. General admission $7, students and seniors $5.

GCC Community Orchestra Concert — Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony,” Smetana Dances from “Bartered Bride,” concerto movements with timpani, bassoon, and clarinet soloists.

Conducted by Bethany Pflueger.

Dec. 5. 3 p.m. Auditorium Mainstage Theatre. General admission $7, students and seniors $5.

Chamber Music Recital — Ensembles from the Chamber Music class perform their final recital.

Theodora Primes, coordinator at 4 p.m. Dec. 7. Auditorium Mainstage Theatre. Free.

PLANETARIUM “Spontaneous Fantasia: The Omnicentric Universe” — Real-time animation created live for the full-dome digital theater by J. Walt, a programmer, artist and composer. Friday and Saturday at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. No late arrivals.

“Eban Schletter’s: Cosmic Christmas” — Live animation in the digital dome by J. Walt

to the theremin-infused music of Schletter, the holiday space opera depicts the awakening of artificial intelligence aboard a lost military satellite that drifts into a waft of Christmas spirit.

Sunday and Dec. 5. Show times vary. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. No late arrivals. For more information, visit www.glendale. edu/planetarium or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5275HELTH

HEALTH Flu Shots — Available from the GCC Health Center while supplies last. Students $10, employees $15. Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. First floor of the San Rafael building.

For more information call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5909.

the first full-length animated feature in motion picture history and the first by Disney Studios. A discussion facilitated by Media Arts instructor Mike Petros follow the screening.

MEDITATE “Learn to Meditate” — Meditation is said to help to clear and calm the mind. Free. Wednesdays from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. Garfield Campus. 1122 E. Garfield St. Room GC 6. For more information call (818) 551-5192.

WORKSHOPS

MOVIES

“MLA Requirements” — Learn about stylistic requirements mandated by the Modern Language Association. Monday from 1:40 to 2:40 p.m. in AD 238. Free.

Students are encouraged to register for the workshop online. For more information, visit www. glendale.edu/learningcenter or call (818) 240-1000, ext. 5341.

Friday Flix: — A screening of Walt Disney’s classic 1937 animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” at 12:30 p.m.

Dec. 3. Free in SG 334. This was

“Proofreading Techniques” — Learn a variety of techniques for proofreading and practice editing passages. Free. Dec. 1 from 1:40 to 2:40 p.m. in AD 238.

DANCE

Dickens classic. Adapted by Neil Bartlett. Directed by Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott. 234 S. Brand Blvd. Runs through Dec. 19. Ticket prices and show times vary.

Around Town COMEDY “Hypnotist Mark Sweet” — The Ice House Comedy Club.

At 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12.50. At 54 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. For more information, visit www.icehousecomedy.com or call (626) 577-1894.

“The Fix-up Show” — ACME Comedy House. A modern day dating game. From 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Dec. 1. Ticket prices vary. 135 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. For information, visit www.acmecomedy.com or call (323) 525-0202.

MUSIC Catherine Del Russo — Glendale Noon Concerts presents oboist Del Russo and pianist Galina Barskaya featuring the works of Verroust and Telemann. Free in the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N.

Louise St. Runs from 12:10 until 12:40 p.m. on Dec. 1. For more information visit www.fbcglendale.net or call (818) 242-2113.

through Feb. 5. 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. For information visit www.pacificdesigncenter.com or call (310) 289-5223.

EXHIBITIONS

“Scenic View Ahead: The Westways Cover Art Program, 19281981” — Pasadena Museum of California Art presents a collection of cover art from Westways magazine. Curated by Matthew Roth and Morgan Yates. Runs through Feb. 27. 490 E. Union St., Pasadena. Ticket prices and hours vary. For more information call: (626) 568-3665 or visit: www.pmcaonline.org.

“Osidian Mirror-Travels: Refracting Ancient Mexican Art and Archaeology” — The Getty Research Institute presents representations of Mexican archaeological objects and sites from the Colonial era to today. Runs through March 27. 1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100, Los Angeles. Museum hours vary. Admission is free and parking is $10 per vehicle. For more information, visit www.getty.edu or call (310) 440-7300.

“Iannis Xenakis: Composer, Architect, Visionary” — Pacific Design Center presents a selection of sketches, drawings and musical scores of Xenakis. Runs

“Steve Wolfe on Paper” — LACMA presents an exhibition of the artist’s works on paper, which combine aspects of drawing, collage and printmaking. Runs through Feb. 20. Ticket prices and hours vary. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information call (323) 857-6000 or visit www.lacma.org.

“The Nutcracker” — Alex Theatre. The Los Angeles Ballet presents their original production of Tchaikovsky’s classic. 216 N. Brand Blvd. Two shows only Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 5 at 2 p.m Tickets prices vary. For more information visit www.alextheatre. org or call (818) 243-2539.

THEATER “Blithe Spirit” — A Noise Within presents Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward. Directed by Damaso Rodriguez. 234 S. Brand Blvd.

Runs through Dec. 17. Ticket prices and show times vary. For more information visit www. anoisewithin.org or call (818) 240- 0910.

“Great Expectations” — A Noise Within presents the West Coast premiere of the Charles

WELLNESS Free Health Clinic — Open Tuesdays 5:30 to 8 p.m. Firstcom, first-served. 134 N. Kenwood St., third floor, room 330.

No job or sports related physicals. For more information please call (818) 243-2105, ext. 202 or visit www.glendaleclinic.org.

Free Yoga in the Park — Runyon Canyon Park. Free yoga lessons are offered everyday at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. 2001 N. Fuller Ave., Los Angeles. For more information call (323) 666-5046.

Compiled by Richard Kontas

12

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

www.elvaq.com

VAQUERO VIEWS

Men’s Soccer Finishes Season in 6th Place

By Nik Brkic

EL VAQUERO STAFF WRITER

I

n the last game of a tough season, the Vaquero men’s soccer team still had something to play for. If it could beat Mission College, then Glendale would finish the season ranked fifth and Mission would finish sixth.

Unfortunately, Glendale lost to Mission 2-1 at Sartoris Field on Nov. 12.

The Vaqueros started the game well by putting pressure on the Mission defense. In the first minute of the game Glendale forward Jason Acosta was able to get the ball in space a few yards outside the penalty box. He struck the ball with power but it sailed over the crossbar.

After that, Mission began to use Glendale’s aggressiveness against them. With the Vaqueros pushing so far into Mission’s side of the field, it left open the opportunity for counter attacks. Mission was able to create two good counter attacks early in the first half.

The first counterattack was focused on the right side of the field and ended with Mission forward Ahmad Yacoub taking a shot that pulled to the right side. The second counter attack also ended with a shot by Yacoub, but this time he was able to put the ball in the back of the net to give Mission the lead.

The goal did not rattle Glendale as much as it had in earlier games. The players continued to move the ball around in order to create opportunities.

The Vaqueros’ ability to get the ball to each other in space culminated in two good shots. The first was by sophomore Yader Arita, who delivered a solid strike that just missed the net.

The other shot was taken by sophomore Tade Mirazaian on the right side, as he tried to shoot the ball toward the bottom left corner of the goal. Unfortunately, the ball missed the goal by just inches.

Throughout the game, Mission midfielder Juan Gomez played an overly aggressive game bordering on “dirty.” In the first half he came in with a hard tackle, injuring Glendale player Tomas Jolon. Jolon did not return for the rest of the game. Gomez then threw an elbow as he went up for a header, hitting a Glendale player. There was no call by the referee, which caused unrest on the Vaquero bench.

During halftime, Coach Joe Agoston addressed the team and gave advice on how to win the game. Agoston made wholesale changes to both forward positions and some midfield positions.

In total, he substituted five people.

Like the beginning of the first

half, the second half started off with opportunities for Glendale. Sophomore Rudis “Rudy” Lazo pressed a Mission defender causing him to run back to his goalie. The defender fumbled the ball, giving Lazo an opportunity to recover.

Lazo gave it his all in a full sprint to the ball but the goalie for Mission got there a split second faster.

Later in the second half, Gomez received a yellow card for a late tackle.

Glendale forward Ramsey Issa was able to get the ball past the Mission defenders and head the ball in. The line judge called off the goal due to an offside call.

Minutes later, Glendale was awarded a free kick to the left of the Mission goal. Glendale freshman Ronald Ventura took the free kick.

Ventura was able to bend the ball to the back post and in to the net.

The Vaquero bench erupted with excitement as the ball went in.

After the goal, Mission began to pull more players back in an attempt to keep up their defenses.

This allowed Glendale to pressure and to keep the ball on the Mission side of the field. Mission was able to turn this disadvantage into an advantage.

Mission went on a counter attack and was able to weave through the Glendale defense to score its second goal at the 40 minute-mark.

Glendale received a free kick at 45 minutes. Sophomore Hans Cabrera took the free kick and crossed it into the penalty box. Glendale freshman, Yusepe Garcia chested the ball down to the feet of Yuto Hisamura who was now 2 yards away from the goal.

Hisamura hit the ball but it sailed over the crossbar. The game ended a few minutes after that shot.

The realization set in for Glendale players that their season was over.

Many players were visibly upset sitting on the bench.

“This is the last time we will be together as a team,” said freshman Jonathan Moctezuma.

The team finished the season with a record of 3-8-1.

See photo online at www.elvaq.com Nik Brkic can be reached at nik_brkic@elvaq.com

For Online Exclusives..

www.elvaq.com