Information provided by the Pima media-relations department:
Pima Community College men’s soccer team earned its first Region I, Division II Championship since the 2020-21 season with a 1-0 win over No. 1 seed Phoenix College on Tuesday night.
The second-seeded Aztecs (19-1) got a goal from freshman Robert Castaneda (Nogales) scored the winning goal with 28 seconds left in the overtime.
It was Pima’s 11th shutout win of the season and their 11th straight victory.
The Aztecs advance to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament from Nov. 17-23 at John Hunt Park and Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, Ala. The national tournament was held at Kino North Stadium the previous two years but is shifting this year to Alabama.
See what Robert Castaneda (game-winning goal), JC Ortiz (MVP) and head coach David Cosgrove had to say after the match. #PimaSoccer #AztecTOUGH #RegionIChampions pic.twitter.com/iDwq1GHaTx
— PimaAthletics (@PimaAthletics) November 6, 2024
Sophomore Ismael Ruiz (Tucson) crossed it to the left side of the goal post and found Castaneda, who kicked it just over the goalkeeper’s head and into the goal.
“It’s a feeling you can’t explain,” Castaneda said in a Pima release. “There were a lot of shots in the game, and to take the last one in the final minute, you can’t expect it. We practiced it in training, to always be there in the back post.”
The Aztecs and the Bears (17-2-1) played 98 minutes of scoreless soccer.
The Bears controlled most of the possession in the first half and had a potential shot hit off the top of the goal post. The Aztecs created opportunities on their side in the last 15 minutes of the first half and came close on a couple of chances in the second half.
See the recap as (#2 seed) Aztecs Men's Soccer beats (#1 seed) Phoenix College 1-0 in overtime after Robert Castaneda's goal with 28 seconds left in the 1st OT. Jose Carlos (JC) Ortiz named MVP after he had 7 saves. #PimaSoccer #AztecTOUGH #OfftoAlabamahttps://t.co/uZdyweXpqC pic.twitter.com/A1zIgQjpHQ
— PimaAthletics (@PimaAthletics) November 6, 2024
Sophomore Jose Carlos Ortiz was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after he finished with seven saves.
“I’m honored to receive the award but really this goes to the whole team and the staff. If it wasn’t for them putting in the hard work, this wouldn’t be possible,” Ortiz said. “It was a very close game, there was a lot of energy from both sides. Phoenix had their chances but overall, I feel like we had more energy and wanted it more. Our defense was great; constant talking and constant support from everyone. Proud of the back line.”
This is Pima’s 11th Region I championship and it will be their eighth straight appearance at the NJCAA National Tournament (10th appearance in the last 11 years).
“It’s always a difficult game with Phoenix College; they have good athletes, really well coached and very disciplined,” Pima coach David Cosgrove said. “We had to survive the first 15 minutes because they were all over us. We made a couple plays and settled in a little bit. We feel, especially with our defense and our goalkeeping, we can stay in games. We think there’s enough good players that we’re eventually going to score against anybody.
“Most important (for the next two weeks) we stay healthy and keep our rhythm going. We’ll take a look at the draw. We feel good where we’re at right now.”
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