Pima Aztec women’s soccer has enjoyed a lot of success the past couple seasons, and a big reason for that is Salpointe graduate Angelina Amparano as the sophomore goaltender.
Pima is off to a 3-0 start after upsetting No. 2 Phoenix College in its home opener and then shutting out their next two opponents while scoring 11 goals.
“Our team chemistry worked well that game,” Amparano said of the win over Phoenix College. “We all worked together so it was a team effort.”
Amparano has been stellar since allowing only one score and saving seven shots against Phoenix College.
In her second match, Amparano made 12 saves in a shutout against Glendale and then three saves against Mesa.
Two dominant outings at the net earned her ACCAC Player of the Week honors.
Amparano credits her experience at Salpointe under coach Kelly Pierce with where she learned mostly how to be a great teammate.
“I learned that team chemistry really makes or breaks a team, so this year, I’ve been really trying to get everyone together,” she said.
Angelina Amparano @schsgsoccer to @PimaAthletics pic.twitter.com/ImWUNlriSh
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) February 5, 2020
As the team captain, she hosted a team dinner and organized the locker room for her teammates. She serviced the community by making sandwiches for the homeless during the summer.
She was a factor last year in her team making it to the ACCAC soccer championship.
The Aztecs lost to Phoenix College 2-0 but got their revenge at home for their season opener.
“We really wanted revenge because they beat us twice last year,” she said. “Not everybody gets that opportunity to have them as the first home game.”
Angelina Amparano @schsgsoccer Named Keeper of the Classic #BrandonBean She had to win three PK matches in a row #AZPreps365 pic.twitter.com/wiACQ7fZhA
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) December 8, 2019
The Aztecs have a tough schedule ahead of them but Amparano is confident that her team is championship-level again and ready to make a strong push for postseason play.
“I really think we can do good things this year. We have a good group of girls, we have good coaches, we have literally everything,” Amparano said. “If we just put our minds and bodies to work everyday in practice and just give 110 percent on the field, we’ll do good things.”
Amparano has also been awarded the first Chapman Automotive Aztecs Player of the Week honor. This award, open to all Pima student-athletes, is based on athletic achievement, leadership among the coaches and peers and service to the community.
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Nathaniel Martinez is an aspiring sports journalist who is a Sahuaro High School graduate and Pima Community College student. He has written for the Aztec Press at Pima. While at Sahuaro, he played football for longtime coach Scott McKee and he wrestled.
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