(Tucson, AZ) The Pima Community College men’s soccer team (16-2) is heading back to the Region I, Division II Championship round as the Aztecs protected home field on Friday in its game against Glendale Community College (9-4-2).
The No. 2 seeded Aztecs scored the first three goals of the game to beat No. 3 Glendale Community College 3-1. The Aztecs have advanced to the Region I Championship round in 11 of the last 12 seasons.
They also secured their second straight season of going undefeated at the West Campus Aztec Field for the first time in program history. They are 21-0 over the last two years.
Freshman Leonel Gutierrez (Salpointe Catholic HS) scored two goals and had one assist. Up 1-0, Gutierrez gave the Aztecs a cushion with his first goal in the 24th minute. Sophomore Nathan Flores (Alhambra HS) had the assist.
Gutierrez made it 3-0 with his second goal that was assisted by sophomore Lae Soe (Cortez HS) in the 47th minute.
Sophomore Joost Hermeling put Pima on the scoreboard with his goal in the 13th minute as Gutierrez provided the assist inside the box.
“We knew that playing Glendale was going to be a hard game. We have a lot of respect for them, they’re a great team,” Gutierrez said. “We prepared all week for them. We knew it would be a physical game. We just had to stay disciplined and keep our heads in the game and don’t get too caught up with our emotions.”
The Aztecs were three minutes away from securing their 10th shutout win but the Gauchos drew a foul in the box and Jordan Yesenski scored on a penalty kick.
“We knew we had to be more alert than them on the 50-50 (balls) and that’s what we did,” sophomore defender and midfielder Aldhair Valenzuela Rodriguez said about defensive strategy. “There was a lot of communication. The last game (against Glendale), that’s what we needed, and I think this game we fixed it.”
The Aztecs finished with seven shots on goal. Freshman Tommaso Leonardi finished with four saves.
“Tommaso and all of our keepers give a great performance. He (Tommaso) is a great guy, loves to play and has a lot of ambition. He’s a great goalkeeper,” Gutierrez said.”
This will be the fifth time in six years the Aztecs and Phoenix College will meet for the Region I, Division II crown since Pima moved to Division II in 2020. The game will take place at No. 1 seed Phoenix College on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
Pima goals: Joost Hermeling (Leonel Gutierrez) 13th minute; Gutierrez (Nathan Flores) 24th minute; Gutierrez (Lae Soe) 47th minute.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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