GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Glendale Community College men's soccer team secured a vital three points and put the ACCAC on notice with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the nation's #4-ranked team, Pima Community College. With the win, the Gauchos keep hold of third place in the conference at 7-2-1 and move closer to securing a postseason berth.
Substitutions played a huge role in the win for Glendale and it was a pair of players coming off the bench who connected for the opening goal in the 23rd minute. A careless giveaway from the Aztecs on a pass into the middle of the park was intercepted by Jacob Engwall at the halfway line and his outside-of-the-boot through ball unlocked the Pima back line, allowing Nathan Johansen to run into space and smoothly finish at a tight angle, putting the Gauchos on top, 1-0. That lead ultimately lasted less than three minutes however, thanks to a foul in the box in the 26th minute that led to a penalty kick scored by Robert Castaneda.
The intensity was ratcheted up another level in the second half but both defenses stood firm, keeping the score level through 80 minutes. One Glendale chance in particular offered a glimpse at what was coming next, with Daniel Hernandez Vega taking a free kick from near the halfway line and a leaping Johansen keeping the Pima keeper from making a clean play on the ball. The ball fell to Johansen's feet, but he couldn't keep his shot down off the bounce and it hit off the crossbar before a follow-up header from Santiago Castruita was saved off the line.
That scenario would play itself over again less than four minutes later. Following a Pima shove that resulted in a foul, Hernandez Vega stood over another free kick at midfield. This time it was Hubert Muka standing strong at the edge of the six-yard box, not allowing the Pima keeper to make a clean play on the ball. Off the bounce, Muka headed home into an empty net to stake the Gauchos to a 2-1 lead in the 81st minute. When a last-second shot from Pima sailed over the crossbar, Glendale held on for the victory.
Eli Anderson earned the win in goal for the Gauchos, making five saves. Castruita and Johansen each attempted four shots on the night, with two on target from each player.
This Saturday sees Glendale travel to Scottsdale Community College for a 7:30 p.m. match. The Artichokes currently trail the Gauchos by a single point in the conference standings thanks in part to a 4-3 Glendale win when the teams met last month.
