Aztec Women's Soccer Dominates Second Half vs. Arizona Western; Veliz Gets 200th Win
The Pima Community College women's soccer team (14-5-1, 14-5-1 in ACCAC) made a strong statement as the Aztecs closed out the regular season on Thursday at Kino North Stadium.
The Aztecs scored four second half goals to beat Arizona Western College (12-7-1, 12-7-1) 5-1 in which head coach Kendra Veliz picked up her 200th career win at Pima.
Sophomore Destiny Jones (Canyon del Oro HS) scored two goals while freshman Nereida Sanchez (Sahuaro HS) had a goal and an assist. Sophomore Maury Urcadez (Tucson Magnet HS) had two assists.
The Matadors struck first in the 35th minute but the Aztecs tied it one minute later when freshman Alexis Hernandez (Ironwood Ridge HS) scored after a forward-pass assist from Urcadez.
Jones started the scoring barrage in the second half when she converted on a penalty kick in the 54th minute. She scored her second goal with an assist from Urcadez in the 75th minute. Sophomore Shania Pablo (Tucson Magnet HS) made it 4-1 with her shot in the 78th with an assist from Nereida Sanchez, who later scored in the 81st minute.
Sophomore goalkeeper Daniela Sanchez (Sabino HS) finished the game with seven saves.
Prior to the game, the Aztecs recognized sophomores Daniela Sanchez, Pablo, Urcadez, Jones, Maria Delgadillo (Rio Rico HS), Alexis Aguirre (Nogales HS), and Sonia Garcia (Sabino HS).
Pima women's soccer also celebrated the program's 20th anniversary with alumni from the 1996 and 1997 teams in attendance. Those who attended were Amber Saarinen, Paige Watson, Christina Arredondo, April Valenzuela, Colleen Nagore, Lia Pierse as well as former assistant coaches Monique Vallery and Cynthia Saldamando. Former Athletic Trainer and Athletics Hall of Famer Ben Carbajal was also in attendance.
"What a great way for all of us to end the regular season; on our home field and with women who started the program in the stands," Pima coach Kendra Veliz said. "I'm happy the sophomores got this win on their day. I truly believe they deserved to have this moment."
The Aztecs will be the No. 3 seed for the Region I, Division I tournament next week. The Aztecs will host the No. 6 seed at Kino North Stadium on Monday at 6:00 p.m. Brackets will be release on Sunday.
Pima goals: Hernandez (Urcadez) 36th minute, Jones (penalty kick) 54th minute, Jones (Urcadez) 75th minute, Pablo (N. Sanchez) 78th minute, N. Sanchez 81st minute.
Kendra Veliz/Photo by Ben Carbajal
