Aztecs women’s soccer advances to Region Finals after knocking off Scottsdale CC in PK’s

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(Tucson, AZ)  The Pima Community College women’s soccer team (2-5-2) pulled out a tremendous win to keep its season alive on Wednesday in the NJCAA Region I, Division II Semifinals.

The No. 3 seeded Aztecs upset No. 2 seed Scottsdale Community College 3-3 (Pima wins 4-3 in penalty kicks). Sophomore Litycia Espinoza (Sahuarita HS) won the match for the Aztecs with her shot in the goal.

Each team used seven kickers in the shoot-out. The score was tied 2-2 after each team used five players. Sophomore Seti Valencia (Sunnyside HS) made her shot and freshman goalkeeper Angelina Amparano (Salpointe Catholic HS) came through with a save to help set up Espinoza’s winner.

The Aztecs broke a 1-1 tie when freshman Briannah Gerhart (Tanque Verde HS) scored in the 60^th minute with an assist from fellow freshman Kortney Cahill (Cienega HS) in the 60^thminute.

The Aztecs took a 3-1 advantage a minute later when freshman Kaitlyn Bassett (Sabino HS) netted her goal with an assist from freshman Dulcenella Yebra (Tucson Magnet HS) in the 61^stminute.

The Artichokes rallied back with goals in the 75^th and 89^th minutes to force overtime.

The Aztecs got on the board when freshman Alyssa Kopach (Ironwood Ridge HS) scored in the 27^th minute when an assist from Bassett.

Coach’s Quote: “I’m proud of how our team played tonight. It was challenging mentally going into overtime after getting scored on with less than a minute in regulation but the team pulled together and finished strong,” Pima women’s soccer coach Kendra Veliz said. “It was a tough match, both teams fought hard to the end.”

The Aztecs had lost twice to the Artichokes during the regular season by a combined score of 6-1.

The Aztecs will play at No. 1 seeded Phoenix College on Saturday in the NJCAA Region I, Division II Finals. Match begins at 7:00 p.m.

Pima goals: Alyssa Kopach (Kaitlyn Bassett) 27^th minute; Briannah Gerhart (Kortney Cahill) 60^thminute; Bassett (Dulcenella Yebra) 61^st minute. PK goals: Alyssa Kopach, Angelina Amparano, Seti Valencia and Litycia Espinoza.

Press Release courtesy of Pima Athletics – Raymond Suarez