(Tucson, AZ) Pima Community College men’s soccer players D’Andre Pickett (Tucson Magnet HS), Brandon Sanchez (Canyon del Oro HS) and Ismael Ruiz (Tucson Magnet HS) produced standout performances during the 2024 season and earned national recognition for their efforts.
Pickett, a sophomore defender, became a two-time First Team NJCAA Division II All-American while Sanchez, a sophomore midfielder and Ruiz, a sophomore midfielder/forward, were selected Third Team All-Americans.
Pickett was named ACCAC/Region I, Division II Player of the Year and is a two-time First Team All-ACCAC/Region I player. He was also named the top defensive player of the NJCAA Division II National Tournament and scored one goal. He logged in all 305 minutes in the backfield in three games. Pickett played in 21 games and had three goals, four assists and 10 points. He played 37 games for his career with four goals, eight assists and 16 points.
Pickett became Pima’s first two-time First Team NJCAA All-American since Sam Lossou (Rincon HS) in 2021, 2020-21. He was also a defender.
Sanchez was named First Team All-ACCAC/Region I, Division II and became a two-time All-ACCAC/Region I player. He finished the season with 10 goals, five assists and 25 points in 20 games. He played in 37 games for his career; making 35 starts with 17 goals, nine assists and 43 points.
Ruiz earned First Team All-ACCAC/Region I honors this season as he scored 17 goals and had 11 assists in 22 games played. He played 39 games for his career with 26 goals, 16 assists and 68 points.
The trio helped the Aztecs finish 20-1-1 this season. They amassed an overall record of 33-4-2 over the last two season while playing for Pima.
Pickett, Sanchez and Ruiz join an impressive group as the Aztecs men’s soccer program has produced 22 NJCAA All-Americans in the last 18 years. Some of the previous NJCAA All-Americans include: Pickett (2024, 2023), Nicholas Bianchi (2022), Ernesto Osornio (2022), Sam Lossou (2021, 2020-21), Brian Vu (2021), Seungeon Kim (2020-21), Ricky Gordillo (2019), Hugo Kametani (National Player of the Year) (2018), Kaskile Zawadi (2018), AJ Valenzuela (2017), Hector Banegas (2016), Jason Romero (2015), Arturo Vega (2014), Alexis Medina (2013), Eric Glad (2011), Minh Vu (2010, 2009) and Fernando Gauna (2007).
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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