GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Glendale Community College women's soccer team stormed back from a 2-0 deficit to knot the score at 2-2 with #13-ranked Pima Community College on Wednesday night, but a late penalty called on the Gauchos gave the Aztecs a spot kick that they put away for a 3-2 win.
Glendale pressed forward and frustrated Pima in the opening quarter of an hour, but it was the Aztecs who found an opening and took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute. A Taylor Olness shot on one end of the field for Glendale turned into a strong boot to midfield from the Pima keeper and a deflection that turned into a breakaway opportunity for Ava Dagnino. Just past the half-hour mark, Pima made it 2-0 when Dagnino chipped a ball centrally in the 18-yard box and Yaya Cervantes finished it on the half-volley.
The Aztecs maintained that two-goal advantage for nearly the next 50 minutes, creating chances at times but stymied by Mayra Kruk at every turn. A diving Kruk save of an Anaya Guadian shot deep in the second half ended up being a turning point as Glendale would score twice within five minutes to level the match at 2-2 in the 83rd minute. The comeback began when Pima's Angelina Moraga fumbled a free kick from Jaidyn Rowles and Damaris Samora pounced on the rebound to make it 2-1 in the 78th minute. Soon after, there was more set-piece trouble for Pima as Rowles redirected a free kick from Mia Robles into the bottom corner to bring Glendale all the way back.
With just over two minutes remaining and the score still deadlocked, Pima was gifted a reprieve when Angeli DesRosier went down on the very edge of the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Cervantes then tucked the penalty away with 2:08 to go, giving the Aztecs the one-goal victory.
Kruk finished with eight saves in the match to keep Glendale in it. The offense was led by Samora's four shots as well as three from Olness, which were all on target.
The schedule doesn't ease up for the Gauchos as they head on the road to take on #8 Scottsdale Community College on Saturday starting at 5:15 p.m.
