Aztec Men and Women Soccer Beat Mesa Community College Teams

TUCSON – Both the Pima Community College men and women’s soccer teams beat Mesa Community College teams on Saturday.

The Pima Community College women’s soccer team closed out a busy week of playing four games in seven days, capped off with Saturday’s matchup at Mesa Community College (0-3-1, 0-1) to open ACCAC conference play.

The No. 7 ranked Aztecs defeated the Thunderbirds 3-0 as they scored two late goals to help secure the win. The Aztecs outscored their opponents 16-1 in the first four games.

Sophomore Ava Dagnino (Salpointe Catholic HS) put Pima on the scoreboard in the 16th minute with a shot that was set up by freshman Hazel Ramos (Cienega HS), who provided the cross-in pass.

Ramos added insurance with a header goal in the 84th minute. Sophomore Alyssa Allan had the assist.

Sophomore Gabriela Mendoza (Tucson Magnet HS) gave Pima a two-goal advantage with her shot in the 78th minute. Freshman Emily Valenzuela (Salpointe Catholic HS) was credited with the assist.

The Aztecs outshot the Thunderbirds 13-1 in on-goal attempts. Sophomore Angelina Moraga (Sabino HS) finished with one save.

The No. 3 ranked Pima Community College men’s soccer team returned to the pitch on Saturday at Mesa Community College to open ACCAC conference play.

The Aztecs had their lead cut in the final minutes but responded quickly to beat the Thunderbirds 3-1.

The Aztecs led 1-0 at halftime as freshman Noah Marshman (Pinnacle HS) gave Pima a little breathing room with his penalty kick goal in the 58th minute.

The score remained at 2-0 until Mesa’s Mikolaj Sliperski scored with 4:17 left on the clock to make it 2-1. The Aztecs responded less than a minute later when freshman Jonathan Karumuna (Pinnacle HS) scored off a rebound that was assisted by sophomore Eugene Tusinge (Washington HS).

Freshman Dante Di Leva put Pima on the scoreboard in the 14th minute with a header goal from sophomore Darian Castillo’s (ASU Prep) corner kick.

The Aztecs outshot the Thunderbirds in on-goal attempts 11-3. Sophomore Tommaso Leonardi closed out the game with two saves.