Pima Tops Monroe in
NJCAA Quarterfinals

ALBANY, GA – The Pima Community College Women’s soccer team defeated Monroe CC, (Rochester, NY) in the NJCAA Championship’s quarter-final match up. The Aztecs won the Thursday afternoon game by a score of 2-1.

With the win the Aztecs advance to the semi-final game and will face the # 1 seed, the Community College of Baltimore County – Catonsville, at 4:00 pm (EST) in Albany, Georgia.

The Aztecs opened up the scoring 25 minutes into the first half as Sarah Villa, (SO, Tucson, Ariz., Tucson Magnet HS) booted home a penalty kick that was awarded to the Aztecs after a hard tackle that brought Kaylen Jackson, (SO, Tucson, Ariz., Amphitheater HS) down in the box.

Monroe answered back late in the half as they notched things at 1-1with five minutes remaining in the opening frame.

Nichole Elias, (SO, Tucson, Ariz., Sahuaro HS) scored the Aztecs final goal early in the second half as she was set up by Viviana Zumpano, (SO, Tucson ,Ariz., Flowing Wells HS). The Elias goal would prove to be a game winner as the Aztecs controlled the ball and played their usual stellar team defense for the remainder of the game.

Adrianna Phininzy, (FR, Tucson, Ariz., Palo Verde HS) got the start in net where she made five saves including a game saving highlight-reel play with less than five minutes remaining in the game.

“We came out a little nervous,” said head coach Kendra Veliz. “But once we settled down we were very composed. We played great team defense in the second half and the skill of our forwards really surprised Monroe.”