Cougar Men's Soccer Posts 3-0 Shutout Victory over Gateway CC

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's soccer team (1-2-0, 1-0-0 ACCAC) defeated Gateway CC 3-0 on Friday, Sept. 6, in the Cougars' 2023 ACCAC and home opener. Scoreless at halftime, SMCC struck for three goals in the second half as freshmen Josh Marin, Atxel Medrano and Alfonso Maldonado scored to lift the Cougars to their first win of 2023. 

The three goals came roughly 15 minutes apart midway through the second half. A foul in the penalty area late in the 61st minute gave Marin a penalty kick, which he deftly deposited for his first goal of the campaign. 

Roughly 10 minutes later, Medrano finished a cross from Maldonado to give SMCC a 2-0 cushion. Finally, Maldonado made it 3-0 when he emerged from a scrum in the penalty area with a shot into the right corner netting in the 77th minute. Maldonado and Medrano both finished with three shots on goal in the victory. 

SMCC finished with 16 shots in the contest, putting 12 on goal. Sophomore Marco Amado had a team-high four shots and put two on the frame, and freshman Brandon Soto had two shots with one on goal. Sophomore Conlan McCoy, sophomore Carter Jones and freshman Anthony Flores also had shots. 

Sophomore Max Melendez started the game in goal for SMCC and made two saves in the first half. Freshman Anthony Sauceda had one save over the final 45 minutes to earn the victory.

SMCC committed 15 fouls and had seven corner kicks compared to 13 fouls and zero corner kicks for the Geckos.