Posted Aug 24, 2012, 9:10 am
The historical Aztecs had a weapon called the macahuitl, which looked a little like a cricket bat, and its edges were inlaid with cut pieces of obsidian. The sharp edges plus the weight of the weapon meant a blow from it could cut through just about anything.
The Pima College Aztecs women's soccer team showed they had some of those fearsome macahuitls, metaphorically of course. The Gaucho defense had few answers for their attack, and Pima ended up on top, 6-1 at Aztec field on Thursday afternoon.
The Aztecs dominated possession for the first quarter of an hour, with Ashley Cardenas notching her first of four shots on goal in the third minute. It took midfielder Robin Tolin to open the scoring in the 10th minute.
Glendale reorganized shortly afterward and moved the ball into Pima's half more often. Gaucho forward Judith Vizcara took advantage of a mistake by Erika Heredia and leveled the score in minute 21.
Pima forward Camie Barbera had an answer in the 32nd minute with a goal that put Pima back into the lead. Then she scored again. Then again after half time, putting her team up by a commanding 4-1 with less than 20 minutes to go in the match.
The team didn't rest on the lead. Forwards Kathy Fischer and Ivonne Herrera scored late in the match to close the door on any possible Gaucho comeback.
The team will travel to Chandler-Gilbert Community College on Saturday, then to Cochise College on Tuesday.
Still a young team
Coach Kendra Veliz acknowledged that despite the win, the team wasn't perfect.
Sponsorships available
Support TucsonSentinel.com & let thousands of daily readers know
your business cares about creating a HEALTHIER, MORE INFORMED Tucson
"We're a young team and there is still a lot to work on," Veliz said. "Winning the first home game gave them a lot of confidence and we can move on from here."
The Gauchos made numerous errors and turnovers in the first half, but Pima seemed unprepared to take advantage. What half time advice fixed things?
"Mainly just to settle down, get their nerves out," she said. "We have so many freshman, it's their first collegiate game. Just settle down and play how they know how to play."
The team has travels to the Phoenix area on Saturday, then to Douglas on Tuesday, so there won't be a lot of time to rest.
"We have a small roster this year, so it will be challenging," she acknowledged. "To keep people healthy will be key."
Wait, isn't she supposed to be in the goal?
The team didn't let off despite their lead, but the lead gave Veliz an opportunity to take out starting keeper Erika Heredia and give Becca Lamanda a chance to get some experience in goal.
Heredia didn't go to the bench to rest, however, she changed jerseys. Changed jerseys to the coveted number 10, no less.
"I'm always 'in the game'," Heredia said of having to change her mentality. "But it is a whole different field when you are a goalkeeper than when you are playing on the field."
"I have fun either way," she continued. "As long as I'm having fun, I stay focused."
As a midfielder, Heredia passed the ball to Fisher for the final goal. This means she has a unique set of stats for a goalkeeper: five saves, one assist.
Thanks to our donors and sponsors for their support of local independent reporting. Join Richard & Mary Fimbres, R. Scott Roy, and Luke Knipe and contribute today!
Comments
There are no comments on this report. Sorry, comments are closed.