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Aztec Men’s Heartbreak: NJCAA National Semifinal Decided by Penalty Kicks Against Northeast CC
The Pima Community College men’s soccer team exited the NJCAA Division II national tournament after a hard-fought semifinal match against Northeast Community College on Thursday. The Aztecs, who were the top seed in the tournament, faced their third consecutive overtime game but ultimately fell to the No. 5-seeded Hawks in a penalty shootout.
With the game tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, Pima lost the shootout 5-3 at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama. They started strong, hitting the first three penalty kicks, but faltered on their fourth attempt. In contrast, Northeast converted all five of their penalty kicks.
The Aztecs initially seized control of the match, with sophomore Jacob Lund-Iversen scoring in the 25th minute by capitalizing on a rebound. Shortly after, teammate Ismael Ruiz, a Tucson Magnet High School product, scored in the 30th minute, putting Pima ahead 2-0 at halftime.
The 2024 season concludes for the Aztecs with an impressive overall record of 20-1-1. This marks their highest total wins in a single season since 2018 when they finished 26-2. Their 15-1 record in ACCAC conference play also represents a significant achievement, being the most wins since their 18-2 record in 2018.
Additionally, Pima enjoyed a remarkable 13-game winning streak during the season and remained undefeated at the West Campus Aztec Field, boasting a flawless 10-0 record. They shared the ACCAC Conference Championship with Phoenix College and secured their first Region I, Division II title since the 2020-21 season.
