Jhoan Soto Earns Second Team All-Region I Division II Honors

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Freshman forward Jhoan Soto of the South Mountain Community College men's soccer team earned Second Team All-Region I Division II honors for his performance in the 2024 season as voted upon by the league's coaches. Soto led SMCC with six goals, 15 points, 41 shots, and 32 shots on goal as the Cougars recorded victories over GateWay CC and Chandler-Gilbert CC and posted draws with the Geckos and Mesa CC. His six goals and 15 points were the most by a Cougar in a single season since SMCC restarted the program in 2022. 

He opened his account with a second-half goal against Paradise Valley CC in the season opener on Aug. 24. He pounced on a turnover deep in Puma territory in the 75th minute and fired a low, driving shot inside the left post to bring SMCC to within 4-1. Soto then scored the first goal in the Cougars' 2-1 victory over CGCC on Aug. 31, successfully converting a penalty kick in the 54th minute for his second goal of the season. 

In the Cougars' 9-0 victory over GateWay CC on Sept. 14, Soto recorded a goal and two assists. He set up goals from Kouki Kurimoto's goal in the 37th minute and Gylain Ahadi in the 65th minute, and scored his third of the year in the 62nd. 

Soto posted a goal and an assist in a road match at PVCC on Sept. 24, working a give-and-go with Kenneth Osuna to create both goals for the Cougars. 

He wrapped up his scoring with a brace at home against Glendale CC on Oct. 1. In the 15th minute, SMCC doubled its advantage as Oscar Jimenez and Soto played a give-and-go that put Soto in front of the net. He buried his shot inside the right post for his fifth goal of the season. 

Trailing 5-2, SMCC got one back in the 74th minute when Soto headed home a corner kick from sophomore Kevin Urias.