Cougar Men's Soccer Defeats Chandler-Gilbert CC 2-1

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's soccer team (1-2-0, 1-2-0 ACCAC) defeated Chandler-Gilbert CC 2-1 in an ACCAC contest at the SMCC Soccer Field on Saturday, Aug. 31. Sophomore Josh Marin broke a 1-1 deadlock with a goal in the 69th minute off a feed from Oscar Jimenez to help lift SMCC to its first win over the Coyotes since the 2016 campaign. 

With the score 1-1, the Cougars won a free kick just inside midfield. Hernandez hit a high, looping ball to Marin on the left side of the penalty area. Marin then drove into the area and fired a shot inside the right post to put SMCC ahead. The assist was the first of Hernandez's career. 

Sophomore Jhoan Soto scored the match's first goal, successfully converting a penalty kick in the 54th minute for his second score of the season. The Coyotes tied the match less than seven minutes later, setting up Marin's late heroics. 

SMCC finished with 15 shots in the match, five of which came from Soto. Marin and freshman Aaron Vazquez each had a pair of shots on goal. The Cougars committed 16 fouls, and Alexis Gutierrez, Vazquez, Marin, and Kevin Urias saw yellow cards. 

In goal, Manuel Lopez made one save to record his first career victory. He faced five total shots and helped repel two corner kicks.