November 15,2005
SPORTSDespite loss, men’s soccer ends season on high note
The men’s soccer team had their 2005 season come to an abrupt end as they lost to Pima Community College, two goals to one, in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region I playoffs.
The team came into the game riding high after edging out Arizona Western and Chandler-Gilbert Community Colleges for second place in the region and a first round bye.
Regular season awards were also anounced with several T-Birds receiving honors. Sophomore Josh Chavez was named to the All-ACCAC/NJCAA Region I first team, while Jake O’Haver, Chris Francis, and Gabe Murillo received second team honors.
The semifinal match against PCC was a physical bout with frequent penalties for both teams and yellow cards for MCC players Michael Glen and Mike Sullivan.
The first goal came courtesy of PCC’s forward Joseph Trujillo when he hit a slow rolling header to the right side of the goal. However, it was only moments later when Chris Francis of Mesa tied it at 1-1, with a goal of his own. It would be nearly an hour before the ball saw the back of the net again.
Both teams suffered injuries as PCC’s Juan Nuñez left with an injured foot and Mesa’s Jake O’Haver had to be carted off after injuring his foot as well. O’Haver later returned with just over 16 minutes to play. The game winner for PCC came with just 15 minutes left in the 90 minute match when freshman Jorge Armenta kicked a low hard shot pass Mesa keeper Kyle Hibbard. Armenta had been applying pressure all match long to Mesa’s defense as he had several scoring chances.
The Thunderbirds then began playing at a frantic pace in attempt to tie up the score. They had numerous scoring chances, including four consecutive corner kicks on PCC’s end of the field. None went passed PCC’s keeper Roman Acosta and the Aztecs held on to win the match.
Coach Jeff Perry summed up the season by saying his players put in the time and effort to get better as the season progressed. He also considers the 2005 season a success, commenting, “Whenever you go from 4-15 to 10-5, you would have to.” Perry hopes to carry over the success and momentum into the 2006 season as he expects all 16 freshman players to return next year.