The No. 8-ranked Pima women’s soccer team attempted a late-match comeback following a goal made by Canyon del Oro graduate Lizzie Walker in the second half, but couldn’t get close enough on goal to make that happen, losing 2-1 to No. 5 Phoenix College at the Pima West Aztec Soccer Field on Saturday night.
“I think we just needed to start stronger,” Pima women’s head coach Kendra Veliz said. “We played about half a game today and we needed to play a full 90 (minutes). PC comes out strong and confident, they’re a good team. We need to start at that same level of intensity. I think it took us too long to get that intensity up to the level it need to be for a game against a team like that.”
Despite the loss to Phoenix (14-1-1), Pima (11-3) is still in good shape for the Region 1, Division 2 playoffs, as the No. 3 seed.
In the 2024 regular season, the Aztecs finished third in shots on goal, fourth in shutouts and fifth in shots, goals, and assists in the ACCAC.
“We started off really well and then we kind of went through a little bit of a slump but we picked it back up,” Walker said on the success of the season. “Unfortunately, we didn’t get exactly what we were looking for, but we’re happy we’re competing to be the champions of the region and to go to nationals.”
Walker, who scored the only goal of the match for Pima, finished sixth in the ACCAC in goals with 14.
“I’m pretty proud of myself for what I did,” Walker said. ” Last year, I only got eight goals, which is not exactly my caliber. I’m very happy to be able to score as many goals as I did this game and this season. I feel like I’m doing pretty great right now, I’m on a nine-game goal streak right now. I’m just looking to continue that next weekend.”
Phoenix College scored early in the fourth minute of the first half. The goal was made by midfielder Chloe Corral.
Corral scored again in the 17th minute, putting Pima’s deficit down further by a score of 2-0.
Walker found the goal and headed the ball in at the 35th minute of the second half, making it a 2-1 match. Tucson Magnet grad Jessica Alvarez assisted walker with the goal.
“Jess, she’s the girl who assisted my goal,” Walker said. “She has a really great shot and a great cross. A lot of her crosses go to the back post, so I knew if I just made my run there, it’d be right on my head. Fortunately for me and for us, it was right there.”
Pima played aggressively on Phoenix’s side of the field in an attempt to make a match-tying goal, but it was never able to find that.
Pima finished with three shots on goal.
CDO grad Phoebe Knisley played the first half and saved five shots. Sabino alum Brooke Valencia played the second and saved two shots.
The third-seeded Aztecs will be back on the pitch this Friday to play at No. 2 Scottsdale in the Region I, Division II Tournament. The game time is yet to be determined.
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