Mesa Finishes Up Season With Heartbreaker

Falls to Pima 2-1 in Region I Semis

Coach Sal Galvano said it best. It was a heartbreaker, and probably a game we should have won.

Mesa's run for the ACCAC crown ended Wednesday in a loss to Pima.

Shorthanded most of the latter part of the season and into the playoffs, Mesa fielded only eight healthy players and lost a grueling 2-1 decision to the Aztecs.

The team finished 10-9-1 on the season and looks forward to a promising 2008.

Mesa Upsets South Mountain In First Round Of Region I Tourney

#6 T'Birds shut out #3 S. Mountain, 1-0

Mesa men's soccer is getting back on track at the most crucial time. Monday night, October 22 at South Mountain, the #3 Cougars (11-7) were blanked by the #6 T'Birds 1-0.
The men advance to play #2 Pima (13-5) on the road, Wednesday, October 24 at 2:00 p.m.
Sophomore striker Nick Auditore is back from a knee injury and notched all three goals in Mesa's final regular season game against Glendale. That game allowed the T'Birds (9-8-1) to nab the final playoff seed in the ACCAC Region I Tourney.
"We're starting to get it going again - and at the right time," said Head Coach Sal Galvano.
If Mesa can continue on the upset trail, they would face the winner of #5 Phoenix (10-8) at #1 Yavapai (18-2). That game would be played on Friday, October 26 at the higher seed's home field at 2:00 p.m.

T'Birds Get Huge Road Win

Keep grip on 3rd place with 2-1 victory over Chandler-Gilbert

The men's soccer team improved to 8-4-1 on the season with an impressive road victory at Chandler-Gilbert Saturday night, October 6.

"We rallied well tonight as everyone is playing nicely together in the absence of one of our top scorer's," said Coach Galvano.

Galvano was commenting on Nick Auditore missing his third straight game with a knee injury. It is a partial tear of one of the ligaments, but the team is hopeful he'll be back soon.

Sophomore Midfielder David Humphrey got things going in the first half scoring on an assist from Sophomore Foward James Cooper. The other goal came from Sophomore Forward Reid Schmitt assisted by Freshman Defender Mason Smith.

Mesa hosts Scottsdale Monday night, October 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Tie For Mesa and PV, 1-1

Strong goalkeeping from Otton saves team from loss

Mesa missed some opportunities but so did Paradise Valley and that often spells tie in soccer.

The misses from the Puma side were because of some stellar keeping from Derek Otton

"Derek made ridiculous saves all night and even stopped a PK. It was his fourth defensed penalty kick on the year," said Coach Galvano.

The scoring came on a short corner kick off the foot of Sean Wyne. Reid Schmitt took the corner and the goalie deflected it, but Wyne was there on the rebound. Schmitt gets credit for the assist.

Mesa nearly avenged an earlier season loss to the Pumas, but some missed chances prevented that from happening.

Mesa was without their offensive playmaker and leading scorer Nick Auditore, who was sidelined with a knee injury. Auditore is questionable for the next two games.

Next on tap for the T'Birds (7-4-1) are the Coyotes of Chandler-Gilbert on Saturday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. on the road. The T'Birds shut down the Coyotes in their last meeting back on September 5, 4-1.

T'Birds Pitch Shutout Over AZ Western

Now 7-4 on year with 2-0 win

Mesa got up early and didn't look back against AZ Western on Saturday night September 29 in Yuma.

David Humphrey scored both goals for the T'Birds and Nick Auditore was in on both assists. Ross Wood also assisted on the second goal.

Mesa plays the second of three straight road games Wednesday, October 3 at 3:30 p.m. at Paradise Valley CC.

Yavapai Halts MCC's Streak

Country's #1 pulls away late

Mesa hung in with the best in the ACCAC for about 80 minutes.

"They got a couple late to pull away but in all, we played well," said defender Eric Haas.

The two late goals propelled the RoughRiders to a 5-1 victory over the streaking T'Birds.

The T'Birds got contributions from Sean Wyne, a midfielder/defender, scoring his first of the year on a perfectly played ball from freshman midfielder Luis Felix. The assist was Felix's first point on the season as well.

The T'Birds (6-4) look to rebound on the road Saturday night in Yuma against AZ Western at 6:00 p.m.

MCC Pitches First Shoutout Of Season

Improve to 6-3 on the year with 3-0 win over Glendale

Head Coach Sal Galvano was all smiles Saturday afternoon after his team played their sharpest game of the 2007 campaign.

"This was the best we've looked since our back-to-back losses to Phoenix and PV last week," said Galvano.

Forward scoring sensation Nick Auditore continued his juggernaut ways, scoring his ninth goal in nine contests. He got things going in the 16th minute of the second half.

In the 29th minute, midfielder Alvero Nemi notched his first goal of the season to put Mesa up 2-0.

"Just another example of somebody different contributing to the success of the team every night," said Galvano.

Reid Schmitt would put the finishing touches on what would be MCC's first shutout victory of the year. Schmitt also assisted on Nemi's goal. Austin Williams assisted on Schmitt's goal and Auditore's goal came on a penalty kick.

Wednesday night the T'Birds will host 9-0 Yavapaiin what is sure to be the toughest test yet. The game starts earlier than the normal at 6:00 p.m. at John D. Riggs Stadium.

T'Birds Back To Winning Ways

Dominate South Mountain

It took until the second half, but Mesa exploited a weak offensive front and controlled the Cougars 3-1.

"We're getting contributions from everyone and that's a big thing. Dan (Koczwara) got his first goal tonight...and everybody's spreading the field nicely," said Head Coach Sal Galvano.

Mesa moved to 5-3 on the season as Koczwara got things started in the 30th minute off an assist from both Mitch Lewis and Reid Schmitt.

Nick Auditore, who can't seem to stay out of the box scores, scored in the 35th minute to put Mesa up for good. He stole the ball from a South Mountain defender and buried it unassisted into the net from about 20'.

In the second half Mesa dominated and notched their third and final goal on a beautiful header from Austin Williams. Reid Schmitt got the assist on that one.

Mesa looks to continue a streak in the right direction as they travel to Glendale Saturday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m.to face off against the Gauchos.

Phoenix Halts T'Bird Streak

Mesa falls 3-1

The red-hot MCC squad played its third game in eight days. The outcome would not be favorable this time.

"We just didn't seem ready tonight for some reason," said Coach Galvano.

The team falls to 4-2 overall with the loss. Reid Schmitt scored Mesa's only goal on a penalty kick in the first half.

There isn't much time to rest as the men look to get back on the winning side of the track Monday. Paradise Valley visits John Riggs Stadium at 7:00 p.m.

Mesa Stuns Pima With Two Late Goals

Player of the Week Auditore strikes twice

Mesa continues to impress and this time it's the #9 team in the country that ends up on the short end.

"This team showed a lot of character tonight. Beating a Top 10 team in the country with a man down the entire second half. That's huge," said Head Coach Sal Galvano.

Galvano seemed thrilled, and for good reason. His team is 4-1 and just took out an unbeaten. Mesa only trails Pima in the ACCAC as the Aztecs fell to 5-1.

Pima held a 2-1 lead at the half and a one man advantage. Mesa suffered a red card in the 40th minute of the first half. The T'Birds would play the rest of the game a man down.

That wouldn't matter as Mesa keeps on surprising. Reigning ACCAC Player of the Week, Nick Auditore scored to knot things up with seven minutes remaining in the game. Austin Williams got the assist on that one.

Five minutes later, as time ran down, Auditore struck again to put Mesa ahead. The T'Birds would hang on to upset the Aztecs, 3-2.

Reid Schmitt scored Mesa's first goal of the game on a ball from James Cooper.

Mesa goes for their fifth straight Saturday, September 15 against Phoenix at John D. Riggs Stadium.

Mesa Keeps Rolling With 4-2 Win

Scottsdale latest T'Bird victims

Mesa men's soccer is playing like a team on a mission. There latest stop on that mission left the Artichokes shaking their heads Saturday night.

"We are getting contributions from different players every night, and that is key," said Coach Sal Galvano.

Nick Auditore got the scoring barrage started in the 22nd minute with an assist from James Cooper. Auditore would be named ACCAC Player of the Week as he has either scored or assisted a goal in each of the team's victories.

Five minutes later, Jeremiah Weidmair scored on a ball from Auditore.

The team has been scoring often and in bunches thus far this season. That theme continued as David Humphrey notched Mesa's third goal with 12 minutes to play in the first half. That goal was assisted by Reid Schmitt. One minute later, Mesa rounded out their scoring on a goal by Schmitt, assisted by Humphrey. Mesa scored four goals, all in the first half.

This was Mesa's third straight game with four goals...all victories.

Next up for the men is a home game against Pima on Wednesday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m.

MCC Handles Chandler-Gilbert

TBirds stymie Coyotes, 4-1

In one of the more heated rivalries in the East Valley's ACCAC Soccer, Mesa controlled the game from start to finish. In doing so, they remain unbeaten at home in the 2007 campaign.

"We looked real good in the first half, then let up some in the second. But, we stayed composed," said Coach Sal Galvano.

MCC scored all four goals in the first half and three in the last 7:15. The first came on an Austin Williams goal assisted by Nick Auditore. David Humphrey notched the second with an assist from David Archuleta.

The third, and second in four minutes, came off the foot of James Cooper. That goal was assisted by Mason Smith. Nick Auditore scored the last goal on an assist from Rodrigo Cano.

"This is a big rivalry in the East Valley and we got a big win tonight," said Galvano.

Mesa dominated in shots on goal as well. The 27-15 advantage was indicative of the way things went for CGCC.

Next up for the T'Birds is at Scottsdale Community College on Saturday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Some Pretty Plays Put Mesa On Top Over Arizona Western

T'Birds tally 4-3 win

MCC men's soccer notched their first win of the season Wednesday night at home against the Matadors of Arizona Western, 4-3.

Down 2-1 at the half, MCC scored on a one-touch from James Cooper after four other players made gorgeous passes to get the ball near the goal. Mitch Lewis played the ball nicely to Ross Wood, who dished it inside to Reid Schmitt, who then played it back outside to Nick Auditore, who crossed it beautifully to Cooper for the goal. Just two minutes into the second half MCC knotted it up at 2.

"That was one of the prettier plays you will see. Five different players contributed for that goal. It was really pretty," said Coach Sal Galvano.

Auditore scored in the 17th minute on a penalty kick. He would score again later in the game to go along with his assist on the Cooper goal. Reid Schmitt scored the first goal on a good ball from Chris Vickers. Rodrigo Cano assisted Auditore's second goal of the game.

"We did some good things tonight, but there is plenty of room for improvement," said Galvano.

Next up for the team is against Chandler-Gilbert, Wedensday, September 5 in Mesa at 7:00 p.m.

First Game Sees Some Defensive Lapses

T'Birds fall to Roughriders 3-0

The soccer season kicked off in Prescott Friday night August 24 against Yavapai College. The Roughriders tallied a 3-0 victory, but coach Sal Galvano liked what he saw.

"We really played a great game, we just made some defensive mistakes," Galvano said.

Down only 1-0 at the half, the Thunderbirds received a halftime speech that implored them not to let the opposition score early on in the second half. In one of last year's matchups against Yavapai, a similar scenario took place where the Roughriders came out in the second stanza to grab a two-goal lead. Unfortunately, the speech didn't prevent the same situation from occurring. In the opening minutes, Yavapai notched another goal to go up 2-0. They added another late in the game to round out the scoring.

"We had some 15 shots on goal and controlled the ball for most of the second half. I'm happy that we played a full 90 minutes," Galvano said.

The home opener is set for Wednesday, August 29 against Arizona Western at 7:00 p.m.

2007 Men's Soccer Outlook

Second-year coach has sights set on finals

Coming off of a transition year in 2006, MCC Men's Soccer is full of promise, potential, and youth. Coach Sal Galvano, now in his second year, feels the team is ready to take that next big step and be a contender in the ACCAC.

"I'm looking to have a winning season. We have a much better team this year due to our depth and players that can fit in to give us quality minutes," said Galvano.

Galvano wants to keep his roster around 23 players and two of those players will be returning All-Conference striker Nick Auditore, whose 2006 goal total was fifth best in the nation, and Reid Schmidt, another key component from last year's squad.

"I'm looking to reach the finals...that is realistic for this team," said Galvano.

He should know. He recruited all of his players. However, the true test will come in the opening matchup against conference powerhouse Yavapai on the road in Prescott Valley August 24.

If Galvano's confidence carries over to the players, 2007 could bring some memorable moments to the men's program. WIth 18 games on the schedule, the coach must direct a youth movement for the long haul.

"We have an incredibly strong freshman class this year," he said. As many junior colleges experience turnover to the universities, the incoming freshman will once again be pivotal in the success of this year's squad.

Rosters will be set during the first week of August.

Men’s Soccer 2006:

The 2006 season for the Men’s soccer team turned out better that expected, but was a bit of a roller coaster ride. Sal Galvano came on board with a new system after having coached for nine years at colleges in New York and Texas. Recruiting always suffers during a transitional year, but the Thunderbirds managed to break even in 20 games and had one of the top scorers in the country in All-American Nick Auditore.

Freshman forward Nick Auditore had 20 goals and 6 assists on the season which led the ACCAC in points with 46.

First-year coach Sal Galvano, succeeded Jeff Perry who resigned to concentrate on his coaching duties at Gilbert High School and the Gilbert Tigers Soccer Camp.

A native of New York State, Galvano played collegiately at Canisius and Suny Brockport and trained with the professional Buffalo Blizzards and Rochester Raging Rhinos.

“We tended to win a game and then lose a game, and that’s the way our season went,” Galvano said. “But we got stronger as the season progressed, had some impressive victories along the way, and made the Regional playoffs.”

Mesa shut out nationally-ranked Monroe Community College, 6-0, for one of only three losses the New Yorkers suffered in 2006. In the Regional playoffs, the T’birds upset third-seed Arizona Western on their home court in Yuma, and then lost to #14 nationally-ranked Pima, 1-0, in a tightly-played semifinal game.

The strength of the team was freshman Auditore who will return as the 2007 captain. He was the country’s fifth leading scorer with 27 goals and seven assists. His Conference record was 20 goals and six assists. Reid Schmidt was another strong contributor to the team’s success.

Galvano will have a more experienced team in the Fall of 2007 with a fair number of veteran players returning along with a group of quality recruits from area high schools. The team’s goal is to win the Conference championship, according to the young coach, and if commitment and enthusiasm can make a difference, they are headed in the right direction.

Please contact The Athletics Department for comments or corrections phone: 480-461-7542