(Wichita, KS) The Pima Community College women’s soccer team (14-1-5) saw its first action on Monday in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, KS.
The No. 6 seeded Aztecs dominated as they beat No. 10 Sussex County Community College (NJ) 5-0 in Pool B play.
The Aztecs produced five different goal scorers as sophomore Kristal Navarro (Tucson Magnet HS) broke the scoreless tie in the 7th minute with her shot right in front of the net.
“With it being our first game of the tournament, it was really important for all of us to share the load, and important for our confidence as a team, and individually, for us to able to get a goal. It feels good,” Navarro said.
Sophomore Samantha Mendez (Tucson Magnet HS) made it to 2-0 in the 27th minute. Freshman Yajaira Cervantes (Tucson Magnet HS) provided the cross pass to the middle of the box and Mendez scored on a header.
Cervantes scored her goal with an assist from freshman Ava Dagnino (Salpointe Catholic HS) in the 30th minute as the Aztecs took a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime.
Dagnino added insurance in the second half as she scored in front of the net in the 67th minute. Freshman Gabriel Mendoza (Tucson Magnet HS) helped seal it with her shot inside the box from the right side in the 82ndminute.
Sophomore Kamalani Peralta (Tucson Magnet HS) talked about the team’s backfield that helped secure their eighth shutout win of the season.
“We had a really strong back line, and we were able to maintain our line and keep them (Sussex) offsides and find our out-wings,” Peralta said. “We were also able to connect forward and get those combinations in.”
Sophomore Phoebe Knisley (Canyon del Oro HS) finished the game with four saves.
The Aztecs will play No. 3 Heartland Community College on Tuesday to close out Pool Play. The winner will advance to the National Semifinal round. Game time is set for 3:15 p.m. (CST); 2:15 p.m. (MST).
Pima goals: Kristal Navarro 7:09; Samantha Mendez (Yajaira Cervantes) 27:28; Cervantes (Ava Dagnino) 30:14; Dagnino 67:53; Gabriel Mendoza 82:40.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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