(Tucson, AZ) The Pima Community College women’s soccer team (13-1-5) returned to the top of Region I, Division II and West District on Tuesday as it hosted Phoenix College (12-3-3) at the West Campus Aztec Field.
The No. 1 seeded Aztecs rallied from a goal down in the second half to beat the Bears 2-1 to win their first Region I, Division II Championship since 2021. The Aztecs had fallen to the Bears in the championship game the previous three years; all games were at Phoenix College.
Down 1-0, freshman Yajaira Cervantes tied the game after dribbling towards the box and converting on a shot with her left foot that cleared the right side of the goal in the 63rd minute.
The Aztecs took the lead for good on another opportunity two minutes later when there was a foul in the box after a throw-in, and Cervantes took the penalty shot and scored on the left side of the net.
Sophomore midfielder Anjeli DesRosier (Salpointe Catholic HS) was named the Region I, Division II Championship Game’s Most Valuable Player.
“We started off really good in the first 10 minutes and after that it started to become a really intense game,” DesRosier said. “I think Phoenix had the upper leg most of the first half including going into the second half, however, we just reminded ourselves at halftime that we don’t want to be second to Phoenix again. Last year we were in the same spot at Phoenix, we ended up losing and got lucky with the bid (to Nationals). It felt really great to finally get the upper leg on Phoenix.”
The Aztecs finished with three shots on goal for the game while the Bears had eight. Sophomore Brooke Valencia (Sabino HS) closed out the game with seven saves.
“This game was just all mental. Obviously, the physicality and everything else, but in the end, this is what we worked for,” Valencia said. “The mentality of everyone was playing for each other, fighting for each other. I’m proud of everyone and how amazing they did and how far they pushed through with everything.”
The Aztecs finished undefeated at the West Campus Aztec Field with a record of 8-0-3.
“It’s our greatest…I could say flex. It’s our motivation through every single talk,” DesRosier said. We don’t lose here. This is our home field. I know every single one of us is proud of our teammates next to us because we fight non-stop especially when we’re home. We fight for Pima and remind ourselves that when people come out to watch that we want to make them proud.”
The Aztecs have secured their spot at the NJCAA Division II National Championship Tournament. It will be from Nov. 16-22 at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, KS. The Selection Show will be next Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. (ET); 3:30 p.m. Tucson time on the NJCAA Network.
Pima goals: Yajaira Cervantes 63rd minute; Cervantes (penalty kick) 65th minute.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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