(Tucson, AZ) The Pima Community College women’s soccer team (17-0-2) is back-to-back Region I, Division II/West District Champions as it took 102 minutes to get the job done.
The No. 1 seeded Aztecs defeated No. 3 Phoenix College 2-1 to win their second straight Region Championship and sixth overall under coach Kendra Veliz. The last time the Aztecs were back-to-back Region I champions was in 2014 and 2015.
This was the fifth straight year the Aztecs and the Bears (10-5-2) have met for the Region I, Division II/West District Championships. The home team has gone 5-0.
Sophomore Ava Dagnino (Salpointe Catholic HS) scored in the box with her shot after a tap pass from freshman Mckenna Baker (Premier Prep Academy).
The Aztecs fell behind in the 19th minute after Phoenix College’s Alexa Zambrano scored on a free kick goal.
Sophomore Alyssa Allan scored her team-leading 19th goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1 in the 32ndminute. Sophomore Yajaira Cervantes (Tucson Magnet HS) provided the setup on a cross pass. Cervantes was named the Region I, Division II Finals Most Valuable Player as she played in all 102 minutes.
The Aztecs outshot the Bears 14-2 in on-goal attempts. Freshman Amaya Andrade (Flowing Wells HS) closed out the match with one save.
The Aztecs went undefeated at the West Campus Aztec Field for the second straight year, going 9-0-1. The Aztecs are 17-0-4 in the last two years.
The Aztecs advance to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament from Nov. 15-21 in Huntsville, AL. The Selection show will be on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. (Tucson time) on the NJCAA Network.
Pima goals: Alyssa Allan (Yajaira Cervantes) 32nd minute; Ava Dagnino (Mckenna Baker) 102nd minute.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
