2022 SMCC Men's Soccer Season Preview

PHOENIX ---

For the first time since 2019, South Mountain Community College will field a men's soccer team for the 2022 fall season. Cougar head coach Pedro Mendoza is excited to restart the program. SMCC has a roster of student-athletes ready to make their mark in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference.

Mendoza comes to SMCC after coaching stints in his native California and Arizona. He worked at a pair of high schools in California and has served as an age-group coach for Phoenix Rising Football Club. He played for three years at NAIA Hope International University in Southern California as a player after a successful prep career. Mendoza also played several seasons of professional indoor soccer.

Having to resurrect the program from a dormant state, Mendoza hit the ground running regarding recruitment. He followed every lead, turned over every stone and worked ceaselessly to prepare for 2022. The hard work paid off.

The Cougars feature a roster of 26 student-athletes for the season, a healthy mix of first- and second-year students for Mendoza to dispatch on the pitch.

"The recruitment was a little different than what I was used to in the past. We brought in student-athletes from all over, even from Nogales, Mexico, and sold them on the culture we are building and the team's goals," said Mendoza.

One note about the roster is that SMCC men's soccer features two pairs of brothers competing for the Cougars in 2022: Carter and Colin Jones and Jacob and Jahaziel Estrada. The siblings have infused the group with brotherly love and enthusiasm.

"They get on each other's nerves but push each other. Interestingly, both sets of brothers have one who is a defender and one who is a midfielder. I think that helps them better understand the game and tactics because they can corroborate and talk to each other about what they are seeing from their vantage," Mendoza said.

The team has been training for several weeks in preparation for the season, and the roster's size has helped Mendoza integrate everyone into practice.

"Training has gone well. The attitude has been there, and we have worked on getting fit in a short timeframe. Having 26 players, we can scrimmage 11 against 11, work the kinks out and get to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. It has been fun to watch the progress."

SMCC has three goalkeepers who are all fighting for playing time, and Mendoza has seen spirited competition among the group in training camp.

"It has been fun to see the goalkeepers competing in camp. Three goalkeepers give them plenty of opportunities to improve each day. I have told them from the beginning that I won't pick starters until gameday, and that has motivated them," Mendoza added.

In front of the goalkeepers, the SMCC defensive group is a collection of talented student-athletes ready to deny opportunities to their opponents. 

"I am excited for our defenders. They are not necessarily the tallest guys but warriors on the field. They will give their all out on the field for their teammates and the school. They are a crazy bunch of kids who like to communicate and have a passion for the game," Mendoza explained.

According to Mendoza, the midfield is the team's heart, and Mendoza and the team will count on them to contribute offensively and defensively.

"The midfield will provide the rhythm and speed that we need. We will find ways to use them in many different ways, and I am excited to see the progress and watch them flourish,' Mendoza said. 

The forwards are the tip of the spear of the Cougar attack, and Mendoza is intrigued about the group's potential.

"Our forwards should be getting goals this season, which is always exciting. We have some players who have a lot of experience at that position, and we have some who are new to the spot, and I am pushing them to explore new options and horizons."

SMCC opens the year with road matches at Paradise Valley CC (Aug. 19) and Phoenix College (Aug. 26) before its home opener, a 10 a.m. contest against Glendale CC on Sept. 3. The rest of the month sees SMCC traveling to Arizona Western (Sept. 10), hosting Pima CC (Sept. 13) and venturing to Paradise Valley CC (Sept. 20) and Yavapai College (Sept. 24). 

In October, the month starts with road matches at Scottsdale CC (Oct. 1) and Glendale CC (Oct. 4) before the Cougars host Phoenix College (Oct. 8) and Mesa CC (Oct. 11). The final two matches of the campaign see SMCC heading to Chandler-Gilbert CC (Oct. 15) and hosting Gateway CC (Oct. 18) on Sophomore Day.

"Regarding goals, we want to finish in the top three in the ACCAC, which I believe is pretty realistic. We want to get some wins in our bag and find our family and culture within this amazing community at South Mountain CC."

Joining Mendoza on the sidelines is his assistant coach, Elijah Blackgoat. A former Cougar player, Mendoza credits Coach Blackgoat with helping him navigate the landscape of Arizona high school soccer.

"I don't think we would have had the success we have had thus far without Coach Blackgoat," Mendoza said. "He has been a huge contributor, helping get players in with his knowledge of Arizona's high school and club soccer scene. He has been a huge asset, and it will only continue to grow from there."

Mendoza and the Cougars feel the excitement brimming as they prepare for a return to competition. Social media has allowed them to hear from former Cougars who share the sentiment and are grateful to see the program back.