SMCC Men's Soccer Rallies for 1-1 Draw with No. 15 Mesa CC

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's soccer team (1-2-1, 1-2-1 ACCAC) played to a 1-1 draw with No. 15 Mesa CC in an ACCAC contest on Saturday, Sept. 7. Freshman forward Aaron Vazquez scored the game-tying goal in the 79th minute off an assist from freshman Alexis Gutierrez as the Cougars rallied late against the nationally ranked Thunderbirds. 

Trailing 1-0 with just over 10 to play, Gutierrez and Vazquez connected on a pass that set up Vazquez in front of the goal. He deftly delivered the ball inside the right post and into the side netting to tie the match. The assist was the first of the year for Gutierrez. 

From there, the SMCC defense held firm and repelled numerous Thunderbird attacks over the match's final moments. Freshman goalkeeper Manuel Lopez made a pair of saves with less than one minute on the clock to help the Cougars earn the point. 

Mesa CC took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute from the penalty spot. Vazquez led all players with six shots, and Gutierrez added a pair. Sophomore Kevin Urias had a shot on goal, and fellow sophomore Josh Marin had an attack in the first half that went just wide of the frame. 

The two teams finished with 14 shots each, and Lopez made five saves in goal. Both teams had four corner kicks, and SMCC committed 15 fouls compared to 14 for MCC. Freshmen Kevin Soto and Ben Briggs received yellow cards for SMCC.