The Pima Community College men’s soccer team held tryouts for next season March 15 and 16 during Spring Break.

However, if you think you missed your chance to join the 2011 West District champions, you might be in luck because the Aztecs recruit year-round.

“We are always looking to give an opportunity for those overlooked during the recruiting process,” head coach David Cosgrove said. “We’re looking for our diamond in the rough.”

In the open-call tryouts, Pima was looking for five to eight players out of about 75 trying out to join the team.

The Aztecs will go into the 2012 season with a 34-man roster.

The Aztecs are expecting to return three starters and eight of their top 22 players, including All-American candidate Yayha Kane.

Kane missed last season due to injury.

Pima has solidified its spot as one of the top 10 NJCAA soccer programs over the last 15 years.

The 2011 team had one of the best years in the program’s history.

The Aztecs won the Region I title for the fifth time, won the West District title for the third time and finished fifth in the country.

File photo by Larry Gaurano

File photo by Ed Adams

Only in the United States and Canada is “the beautiful game” called soccer.

This ideological battle has existed for a long time. It will only increase now that “soccer” is gaining U.S. followers because of Major League Soccer and because both the male and female U.S. national teams participate in World Cups.

The United States is the only country in the world that plays American football at a professional level.

Meanwhile, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, known worldwide as FIFA, has 208 member countries. This tells me that 207 countries call the sport football, as it should be.

The logic is quite simple. The name is foot + ball. The ball is played with the feet of players during 97 percent of the match. It’s in the hands of the goalkeeper just 3 percent of the time.

In American football, the numbers change places. Most of the time, the ball is in the hands of players. So… why is it called football? It makes no sense. It’s like calling rugby English football or insisting that handball be called football.

As a native of Chile, this really bothers me. I know plenty of people from all over the world who also find it offensive.

It’s as if Americans think the rest of the world doesn’t matter and that things must be called by American names. The issue is not as serious as war or politics, but nonetheless it affects millions of people.

I am not saying that one sport is better than the other. I’m just saying that Americans should stop calling football “soccer.”

Photo By LARRY GAURANO

By ROBERTO AVENDAÑO

The excitement of Major League Soccer is coming to Tucson for the 2012 Desert Diamond Cup, which will be held at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium between Feb. 22 and March 3.

After years of hosting Major League Baseball preseasons, Tucson will now host professional soccer teams.

Teams participating in the preparatory tournament are Real Salt Lake, the New England Revolution, the New York Red Bulls and the current MLS champion, the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Sporting Kansas City and the San Jose Earthquakes are also doing preseason training in town, but won’t compete in the Desert Diamond Cup.

The tournament will feature doubleheader matches on Feb. 22, Feb. 25 and Feb. 29. The third-place and championship games will take place on March 3.

Some major stars will not be at the preseason tournament because they are on loan to English teams during the MLS break. The missing stars will include the Galaxy’s Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, and the Red Bulls’ Thierry Henry

Galaxy midfielder David Beckham might be in Tucson because his negotiations broke down with the French club Paris Saint-Germain.

The Red Bulls’ Rafael Marquez, who is currently training with FC Barcelona’s youth team, could also return to play preseason games in Tucson.

Tournament tickets range in price from $20 to $75. For additional information, visit fctucson.com.

Photo by Mylo Erickson

The Pima Community College men’s soccer team closed out 2011 with a record of 19-7-2 and a fifth place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship Tournament.

Sophomore defender, Eric Glad, was named All-American by the NJCAA for his efforts this season.

Glad was also named to the All- Arizona Community College Athletic Conference/NJCAA Region 1 Men’s Soccer First Team. The 6-foot-5-inch Glad was the core of the Aztec defense.

He also helped out on the offensive side where he scored six goals, assisted on six others and placed third on the team with 18 points.

Glad’s All-American honor is the third in three years for the Aztecs as former player, Minh Vu, earned a second team nod in 2009 and a first team award in 2010.

Aztec All-American Eric Glad

The eighth seeded Pima Community College men’s soccer team tied the sixth seeded Lincoln College for fifth place at the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship Tournament, Nov. 20.

With the 1-1 tie, the Aztecs couldn’t close the door on the Lynx of Lincoln. LC scored the only goal of the first half, which was answered back in the third minute of the second half by Aztec sophomore midfielder Jann Nash. Nash led the Aztec scoring throughout the playoffs.

“This last game was intense,” Nash said. “We were down for most of the game and I was able to score with three minutes left.”

Tournament rules did not allow for overtime or penalty kicks in consolation bracket play so the two teams settled for the tie.

With the tie, the Aztecs finished their season 19-7-2. The Aztecs also accomplished a NJCAA tournament first as their win over Iowa Western Community College on Nov. 19, was the first ever win for a team seeded eighth at the championship tournament.

“We did a lot this season, more than anyone expected so it was definitely something special,” Nash said.

Fellow Aztec, freshman forward Declan Fulton agrees their season was a success.

“What our team did this year is unprecedented, we set records no Pima team has ever done,” Fulton said. “We won the most amount of games in Pima men’s soccer history, we scored the fastest goal, the most goals in one game, the first eighth seeded team to win a game in nationals and the first shutout of Yavapai at their home field.”

Pima won their consolation bracket game as they defeated the fifth seeded IWCC, 1-0.  Neither team scored in the opening half but sophomore forward Kolby Jacobson scored the only goal of the game with the assist from sophomore forward Nicholas Peppe.  PCC lost their opening game at the 2011 NJCAA National Tournament as they were beat 1-0 by top seed Darton College, Albany GA, Nov. 17.  The two teams played to a 0-0 tie at the half but the Cavaliers broke the deadlock midway through the second half, on a scramble in front of the Aztecs net.  Pima had numerous goal attempts in the second half as they played most of the 45 minute period in the Darton end of the field, but the Aztecs could not find the back of the Cavalier’s net.

“Our season was fantastic considering the uneven playing field,” said head coach David Cosgrove.

Pima was the only team at the National Tournament without international players.

“Our whole team is American, and 20 out of 22 players are from the Tucson area,” said Fulton.  “No team will ever have the their whole team from the same city.”

Next season the coaches look to rebuild the team since 15 of the 22 players are sophomores and will not be returning next year.

“We had so much team chemistry and so much passion throughout the year,” Fulton said. “It will be difficult filling in the holes for next year with our sophomores leaving since most of our team are sophomores.”

Sophomore forward Nicholas Peppe competes against the Bears of Phoenix College.

Erika Heredia was awarded the Goalie of the Week honor by the National Junior College Athletic Association. In her two shutouts the freshman stopped eight shots in the 4-0 win against Cochise College, followed by a three save performance in a 3-0 over South Mountain Community College.

This national award is the first for any Pima Community College team this year.

Q: How’s the season going?

A: It was successful; We have our off days, as a team, but over all successful. We made our goal of being in the play offs.

Q: How do you feel about this award and being the first one to receive it?

A: I was surprised. I didn’t know this award existed until afterwards. But I was happy to receive it because I worked for it.

Q: What do you think it takes to get this award?

A: Dedication and you just have to want it.

Q: What do you like about your team teammates?

A: We have a lot of chemistry together. We work together, we work off each other, we all get along and there is no fighting; this is what brings us together.

Q: What are your dynamics with the other goalie?

A: My weakness is one v. one and hers are corners. Usually her weaknesses are my strengths and her strengths are my weaknesses so it works out well when we practice because we can work on them together.  Usually I’m very good in the air and she’s really good on one v. one so we like to work off each other and practice. But overall we just go over everything.

Q: What do you do on a corner kick?

A: I like to get the ball before anyone can touch it, either in the air or if you can’t get it all the way just punch it out.

Q:  What do you eat before games?

A: I pig out but that’s just me. I love food but it varies there is no routine. I definitely like to eat a lot, not junk food obviously, because I’d get hungry 30 minutes into the game. I load up on the carbs and protein and eat stuff that will make me full.

Q: What was the team’s goal for the season?

A: Making it to the playoffs was one. We are in better situation than last year already so we plan on doing well for the rest of the season.

Erika Heredia

The Pima Community College women’s soccer team enjoyed a stellar week Oct. 4-10, winning 3-0 and 4-0 and sweeping conference player of the week awards.

On Oct. 11, they finally lost something.

GateWay Community College ended the Aztecs’ two-game win streak by beating Pima 2-1. The Aztecs (10-5, 10-5 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) had won six of their last seven.

“I thought that we were doing well, moving forward,” head coach Kendra Veliz said. “I think we came out complacent, not ready to play, and the other team capitalized on their opportunities.”

Sophomore midfielder Cynthia Fierro scored Pima’s goal against the Geckos, with freshman defender Eryca Carpio picking up the assist.

“The difference was the effort,” sophomore forward Celeste Carrera said. “We didn’t come out strong the first half. The second half we did and we got a goal, so we need to do that first half as well.”

For the week ending Oct. 10, Pima swept the ACCAC player of the week awards. Freshman Erika Heredia won the Goalkeeper of the Week award and Carerra took Player of the Week Award honors. It was Heredia’s second GoK award of the year.

“I’m very happy with Erika Heredia, she has surpassed my expectations as a keeper,” Veliz said.

Carerra, who has been battling injuries, said “that’s pretty cool,” about player of the week honors.

“I’ve had quad strains, so this year has been harder on me than last year,” she said. “I am working through it.”

Carerra estimtes she is at 80 percent.

“Last week she actually started to feel a little bit stronger and it made a difference for us,” Veliz said.

On Oct. 6, the Aztecs blew out South Mountain Community College, 3-0. Sophomore forward Jade Carr scored the first goal, Carrera scored the second and Fierro scored the third.

Heredia made three saves en route to her second straight shutout.

Going into play on Oct. 11, Pima was in fourth place in the conference. Veliz said the Aztecs would have to play themselves out of the playoffs, unlike last year where they barely got into the playoffs and on the last day as the sixth seed.

“I would say I am more confident than last year because last year we needed one win to get into the playoffs,” Veliz said. “At this point, we have to give away the playoffs. I’m hoping that this team is not the same as last year.”

Pima conquered Cochise College 4-0 on Oct. 4. Heredia earned the shutout after making eight saves, including on an Apache penalty kick.

“We had a windy day last week against Cochise, windy and rainy, and she handled the ball in the box really well,” Veliz said. “I’m very impressed with her, especially being a freshman she has adapted well.”

Sophomore midfielder Trinity Houk scored the first goal from an assist by Carrera, who also scored. Sophomore midfielders Sarah Hansen and Kelly Button also scored goals.

Pima fell to No. 5 Paradise Valley Community College, 3-1, on Oct. 1 at home. Heredia gave up three goals but made 13 saves.

Carr scored Pima’s goal on an assist from freshman forward Briana Simpson.

On Sept. 29, the Aztecs won their fourth in-a-row, 3-0, over Mesa Community College.

Heredia earned the shutout with five saves. Carpio scored the first goal off an assist by sophomore defender Suzie Hansen. Carrera and Carr scored the other two goals.

On Oct. 15, the Aztecs face No. 2 Scottsdale Community College on the road. Pima lost to the Fighting Artichokes 4-1 at home.

Robyn Tolin battles a Gateway Gecko for the ball on Oct. 11 at home.

Pima Community College men’s soccer player Declan Fulton cheated death a year ago after a hiking trip turned awry.

Fulton and a few friends were hiking the Tanque Verde Falls in Sabino Canyon in late August 2010. They spotted waterfalls and started to jump from above into a big pool of water.

Further downstream, another waterfall spilled over a ledge. That waterfall dropped 50 feet drop into a pool that was no deeper than 10 feet. After a shouted conversation with people below the falls, Fulton decided to slide down the ledge into a closer pool of water.

“I went to grab my friend’s hand and slipped,” Fulton said. “I knew I was going to fall, so I just threw myself off anyway. That saved my life because I would have landed on the rock at the bottom.”

The people below witnessed the fall and pulled Fulton into the shade. An off-duty paramedic who happened to be nearby helped him until a helicopter arrived.

“I remember hearing the helicopter come and I had to get airlifted out of there,” Fulton said. “Apparently it took two hours to get to the hospital.”

His parents, who live in Sierra Vista, met him at the hospital. Fulton had broken his pelvis, his elbow, a vertebrae in his back and some teeth, and punctured a lung.

His head would have suffered much more damage if he hadn’t covered it with his elbow.

“My elbow pretty much took the full impact of the fall,” Fulton said.

The following morning, Fulton woke up with his hands attached to the hospital bed. He had just one worry.

“I was trying to ask everyone, would I be able to play again,” he said.

After multiple surgeries, he finally got the answer he wanted. He could play soccer again despite having initial surgery on his elbow and a seven-hour pelvis surgery.

Fulton was in a wheelchair for almost three months and had in-house rehabilitation treatment.

“He’s a good kid, a very resilient kid,” men’s soccer head coach David Cosgrove said. “It’s truly remarkable.”

Fulton moved to Sierra Vista while recovering from his injuries.

“I was living in a house with stairs, so I moved back in with my family for the rest of the year,” he said.

While rehabbing, he started walking again. He also began playing soccer with friends, but was in pain while playing.

“I was trying to do too much, so I just gave it some time while I was in a men’s league,” he said. “I was starting to get some speed back and picked up the game back.”

It was “kind of a wakeup call” when he returned to Tucson for preseason training with his Pima team.

“Everyone was in better shape than I was,” he said. “I was behind everything.”

Declan Fulton makes his 10th appearance after last year's hiking accident. Aztec Press photo by Larry Gaurano.

Fulton and Cosgrove agree that he isn’t back to 100 percent yet but has made significant strides in improving his game.

“Everyone knows that I’ve still got what it takes and it’s just going to take time for it to come back,” Fulton said.

“It’s amazing, he went from being in a wheelchair to scoring goals,” teammate Jordan Benson said.

Cosgrove is grateful to have Fulton back in the lineup.

“He’s getting better and better and considering where he was about this time last year, it’s a remarkable story,” Cosgrove said. “He does play every game and he logs significant time. He is a key component of the team right now.”

Fulton is currently the Pima men’s top scorer, with more than six goals and four assists.

“Declan is scoring the most goals and playing the best for us,” Cosgrove said.

After a 1-2 start, the Pima Community College women’s soccer team is on a roll.

The Aztecs (7-3, 7-3 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) have won three games in a row and six of their last seven.

“We’ve been improving a lot, we’ve been playing a lot like a team lately, we had a turning point somewhere, I’m not sure where,” sophomore midfielder Melia Skinner said.

Skinner said talks by head coach Kendra Veliz may have been the reason for the turn around.

“She’s had some talks with us about what we want to do, how we want to improve; I guess that’s where the light bulb went off,” Skinner said.

Kelly Button

“I think we had a difficult start but we’ve been coming along well recently,” Veliz said.

On Sept. 24, Pima beat Phoenix College 3-1 at home. Skinner scored the first goal, sophomore midfielder Trinity Houk scored the game winner off an assist by sophomore forward Celeste Carrera.

“I’m happy with the returning sophomores, I feel like they really have a goal, that they are trying to reach and also provide leadership for the freshmen,” Veliz said.

Sophomore forward Jade Carr scored the final goal, from an assist by Button.

After opening the season with six road games, Pima started playing at home.

The Aztecs started selling purple shirts and water bottles to support the Lupus Foundation of Southern Arizona.

“It’s good to be home and play in front of a home crowd and last week we supported a local foundation that is really close to home for us, so I thought it brought our team up emotionally and we played to a high level because of that,” Veliz said.

On Oct. 1, Pima hosts top ranked and defending national champions Paradise Valley Community College. The Pumas prevailed over Pima 1-0 in Phoenix.

The Pima Community College men’s soccer team dropped a pair to their rivals but earned a school record with 15 goals in one game.

The No. 10 Aztecs (5-2, 5-2 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) had a record breaking afternoon offensive performance, Sept. 6 as they defeated South Mountain Community College 15-0.
The 15 goals is the highest single game mark for the Aztecs and the third double-digit single game goal output under head coach Dave Cosgrove.

Four Aztecs had multiple goal performances as sophomore forward Blake Brennan, freshman forward Declan Fulton, sophomore defender Kolby Jacobson and sophomore defender Bryce Parker each scored two goals. Seven other Aztecs also scored.

Pima used two goalkeepers in the shutout win as sophomore Daniel Bacon got the start and made two saves in the first half, while freshman Ben Eyde made four saves in the second half.

The Aztecs followed the win with a loss on the road against No. 9 Arizona Western College, 2-1, Friday, Sept. 9.

Sophomore defender Bryce Parker scored the Aztec goal off an assist by freshman forward Declan Fulton.

Each team registered seven shots on goal and sophomore goalkeeper Daniel Bacon saved five Matador shots.

No. 7 Yavapai College knocked off the Aztecs Sept. 3 6-3. PCC went into the locker room at the half down 4-0 but bounced back outscoring the Roughriders 3-2.

Sophomore defender Eric Glad was one bright spot in the conference loss as he scored two goals in the second half.

The Aztecs beat GateWay Community College 4-0 on a rainy night on Sept. 13.

Pima finally plays its home opener Sept. 17 at 2:30 p.m. at the West Campus after a seven game road trip to start the season.

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On Deck
Sept. 17: Scottsdale CC, 2:30 p.m.
Sept. 22: @ Glendale CC, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 24: Phoenix College, 2:30 p.m.
Sept. 27: Chandler-Gilbert CC 3:30 p.m.
All home matches are at the West Campus.