(Huntsville, AL) The Pima Community College men’s soccer team (19-1) opened play in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament on Sunday at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, AL.
The No. 1 seeded Aztecs rallied to beat No. 12 Pellissippi State Community College 3-2. Sophomore Jose Luis Martin Montealegre received a tip pass from freshman Florian Traebert and drove his shot into the net from 23 yards out for the golden goal in the 102nd minute (8:17 left in the second overtime).
“I was looking for that shot the whole game and as soon as I saw the ball coming to me, I said I have to strike this and luckily it went in,” Montealegre said.
The Aztecs surrendered two unanswered goals and fell behind 2-1 when Pellissippi’s Felipe Coehlo scored in the 86th minute (3:33 left in regulation). The Panthers tied it at 1-1 in the 82nd minute.
Sophomore Jacob Lund-Iversen tied the game at 2-2 with three seconds left on the clock. He scored off a rebounded shot in the box and it barely got past goalkeeper Lizandro Moradel for the score.
The Aztecs took a 1-0 lead in the 9th minute when sophomore Ismael Ruiz (Tucson Magnet HS) scored with an assist by Lund-Iversen.
The Aztecs played a man down after receiving a red card in the 42nd minute.
Sophomore Jose Carlos Ortiz (Barca Academy) finished the game with four saves. All his saves came in the second half and overtime periods.
The Aztecs will close out Pool A play with a chance to advance to the National Semifinal round on Tuesday when they go up against No. 8 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Game time is set for 10:15 a.m. CT (9:15 a.m. Tucson time).
Pima goals: Ismael Ruiz (Jacob Lund-Iversen) 9th minute; Lund-Iversen 89th minute; Jose Luis Martin Montealegre (Florian Traebert) 102nd minute.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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