SMCC Men's Soccer Opens 2024 Season vs. PVCC

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's soccer team (0-1-0, 0-1-0 ACCAC) lost 5-1 to Paradise Valley Community College in an ACCAC match at the SMCC Soccer Field on Saturday, Aug. 24. Freshman Jhoan Soto scored an unassisted goal in the 75th minute and had a match-high six shots in the Cougars' 2024 season opener. 

The Pumas struck for three goals in the first half, opening the scoring in the ninth minute. Moments earlier, sophomore Josh Marin nearly opened his season account by ringing one off the post. PVCC would add goals in the 14th and 40th minute to take a 3-0 lead into halftime. 

In the second half, the teams exchanged attempts on goal until PVCC capitalized on a corner kick in the 71st minute to extend their lead. 

That set up Soto, who pounced on a turnover deep in PVCC territory in the 75th minute and fired a low, driving shot inside the left post to bring SMCC to within 4-1. 

PVCC would conclude the contest's scoring with a free-kick goal in the 80th minute. 

In net, freshman Manuel Lopez made his SMCC debut and posted eight saves over the 90 minutes. He recorded four stops in each half. 

Sophomore Danny Youbengue and PVCC's Jack Trinh saw yellow cards. The Pumas held a 16-13 advantage in shots and had eight corner kicks.