Youthful women’s soccer ranked

By James Kelley
Photos by Ed Adams

After losing some of the top players in the country, the Pima Community College women’s soccer team hopes to live up to that old sports phrase: reload instead of rebuild.

The No. 14 Aztecs (1-1, 1-1 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) began the season Aug. 28 with a 2-1 loss to Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

Pima took an early lead on a goal by freshman midfielder Kelly Button that was assisted by sophomore forward Tamra James. The Coyotes won the match with two unanswered goals.

James said the players will recover from the loss. “We got a little ahead of ourselves, but I think we have lots of talent and skill on our team,” she said. “We just need to learn to work together because we have a huge freshman class.”

Head coach Kendra Veliz called the loss “disappointing” but said she still expects the Aztecs to be among the top teams in the nation.

“We were up at the half and were hoping we could maintain the lead but I think our inexperience showed,” she said. “It’s definitely something we can overcome. I have faith and belief in this team.”

Pima lost lots of talent from last year due to their eligibility expiring, including All-American forward Emily Shuta, who led the ACCAC in goals with 14.

Shuta is one of four All-ACCAC honorees the Aztecs must replace. The others are goalkeeper Adrianna Phininzy, a National Player of the Week who led the ACCAC in goals-against-average with 0.59, Letisha Merriex and Sofia Whigham.

Pima also lost Steph McCurry, who was ninth in the league in scoring.

Adriana Ortiz

“We lost two really great players, both forwards, but I think we definitely have the team to replace them,” James said. “We are just all new. We’ve never played together before. I think we are just finding our rhythm.”

Veliz likes the new Aztecs, even if they lack experience.

“I think that we really have some good talent coming in this year with the freshmen,” she said. “They’re young and inexperienced and have a little to learn.”

Veliz also likes PCC’s depth, with 22 players including 15 freshmen.

Last year, the Aztecs went 16-3 overall and 16-2 in ACCAC play. That record earned them the conference championship, but their national championship quest ended in an upset at home to bottom-seed Phoenix College. Pima lost 3-2 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 1 playoffs.

Trinity Houk

Veliz thinks last year’s devastating end to the season will be motivation for this year’s squad.

“I think that the group of returners is a strong group that went through a lot last year,” she said. “We lost a difficult game, so they are coming back with a goal and a purpose.”

With Pima and Paradise Valley, the 15-team ACCAC has two teams in the rankings. Last year, the Paradise Valley Pumas finished third at Nationals.

Veliz said the ACCAC conference is always strong.
“I think we have one of the strongest leagues, so you can never take a day off.”

Pima last made it to Nationals in 2007, where it finished third.

The Aztecs rebounded by beating Mesa Community College 2-0 on Sept. 1. Freshman midfielder Dionae Avendano scored a goal and James scored the other off of an assist by freshman midfielder Cynthia Fierro.

On Sept. 25, Pima hosts Phoenix, which ended the Aztecs’ season last year. Their home date with Paradise Valley is Oct. 2.

All home matches are at the West Campus.

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