Freshman Itsuki Ishihara scored a hat trick as the No. 1 seeded Aztecs men's soccer team shut out No. 12 Muskegon Community College 5-0 to open the NJCAA Division I Tournament. The Aztecs play on Wednesday with a chance to advance to the semifinal round. Photo by James Gilbert/Daytona State College
Freshman Itsuki Ishihara scored a hat trick as the No. 1 seeded Aztecs men's soccer team shut out No. 12 Muskegon Community College 5-0 to open the NJCAA Division I Tournament. The Aztecs play on Wednesday with a chance to advance to the semifinal round. Photo by James Gilbert/Daytona State College

Ishihara's hat trick helps Aztecs men's soccer overpower Muskegon CC

The Pima Community College men's soccer team (23-2) opened play in the NJCAA Division I Tournament on Monday and set the tone early.

  • The No. 1 seeded Aztecs shut out No. 12 seed Muskegon Community College (12-3) 5-0 in Pool A play on Monday in Daytona, FL.
  • The Aztecs took an early lead with three goals in the first 13 minutes. Freshman Itsuki Ishihara scored a hat trick netting goals in the 6th, 10th and 73rd minutes.
  • Ishihara also had an assist in the game as he found sophomore Hugo Kametani inside the box after a corner kick delivery in the 13th minute to make it 3-0.
  • Freshman Johan Anderson scored the final goal for the Aztecs in the 86th minute.
  • Freshmen Ricky Gordillo (Maya HS) and Edson Vazquez (Sunnyside HS) had assists in the game.
  • Freshman goalkeeper Nils Roth finished the game with three saves. The Aztecs outshot the Jayhawks 23-5.

The Aztecs will continue Pool A play on Wednesday when they play No. 8 seeded Northeast Texas Community College at 9:30 am (ET). If the Aztecs win, they will advance to the semifinal round.