(Tucson, AZ) The Pima Community College men’s soccer team (15-1) is moving on in the NJCAA Region I, Division II Tournament but it took second half goals to seal the deal.
The No. 1 seeded Aztecs defeated No. 4 Glendale Community College 4-2 as the Aztecs advance to the finals set for Saturday.
With the score tied 2-2, the Aztecs took the lead for good when sophomore Sam Lossou (Rincon HS) took a feed from sophomore Ulysses Torres (Sunnyside HS) for the goal in the 56th minute. The Aztecs added an insurance goal two minutes later when sophomore Taein Ka scored off an assist from freshman Jesus Virgen (Sunnyside HS).
The Gauchos (5-9) surprised the Aztecs with a goal in the 2nd minute by Eliseo Sanchez to take the early lead.
The Aztecs responded when freshman Jacob Garcia (Walden Grove HS) tied it at 1-1 in the 28th minute with the cross-pass from freshman Fernando Garate (Salpointe Catholic HS).
The Aztecs went up 2-1 a minute later when sophomore Francisco Manzo (Salpointe Catholic HS) recovered a deflection in the box and hit his shot in the 29th minute. The score remained until Glendale tied the game with Sanchez’s second goal in the 56th minute.
The Aztecs outshot the Gauchos 11-5 in on-goal attempts. Sophomore Juan Suarez (Desert View HS) finished with three saves.
The Aztecs will host the NJCAA Region I, Division II Championship on Saturday against No. 2 Phoenix College. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
Pima goals: Jacob Garcia (Fernando Garate) 28th minute; Francisco Manzo 29th minute; Sam Lossou (Ulysses Torres) 69th minute; Taein Ka (Jesus Virgen) 71st minute.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Athletics – Raymond Suarez
