Bio

Nicole Acosta starts her first year as the South Mountain Community College women’s soccer team in the 2020-21 academic year. A standout player at PVCC and ASU and former head coach at Arizona Western, Acosta brings a new tenacity and history of success to the Cougars.

Prior coming to SMCC, Acosta had a sensational two-year run at Arizona Western, she helped guide the Matadors to 33 wins and consecutive conference playoff appearances. In her first season in charge, the Matadors set a new program record with 21 wins. They went on to capture the ACCAC Championship and participated in the NJCAA National Championship Tournament.

Before her time in Yuma, Ariz., Acosta was the head coach of the men’s soccer team at Maya High School and led the squad to a state title. She also served as an assistant coach at Paradise Valley Community College, helping the Pumas win an NJCAA National Championship.

As a player, Acosta spent two seasons at PVCC and helped lead the team to the NJCAA Tournament. She earned NJCAA Division I First Team All-American honors in 2009 after recording 10 goals and nine assists. Acosta then played two seasons at ASU, starting 14 games as a senior in 2011.

Acosta attended Millennium High School in Goodyear, Ariz., where she earned Arizona Republic 4A All-State honors three times, including a First Team award after her senior season. She was also named the West Valley Region Player of the Year three times.