Amador's Brace Highlights SMCC Men's Soccer Season Opener

PHOENIX ---

Freshman Marco Amador scored a pair of goals for the South Mountain Community College men's soccer team (0-1) in a 4-2 loss at Paradise Valley Community College in both teams' 2022 season opener on Friday, Aug. 19. Amador netted a goal in each half, Luis Verduzco recorded an assist, and Jason Martinez made four saves as the Cougars returned to the competition field for the first time since the 2019 campaign. 

Under the stewardship of new SMCC head coach Pedro Mendoza, the Cougars pulled to within 3-1 on Amador's goal in the 36th minute. Verduzco pounced on a PVCC turnover and slipped a pass to a streaking Amador. His shot rang off the left post, slid across the goalline, hit the right post, and then nestled into the back of the netting. 

In the second half, Amador took advantage of another PVCC miscue and buried his second of the day into the corner from approximately 20 yards. He finished the game with a team-high three shots. Jacob Estrada and Conlan McCoy had the other two attempts for the Cougars.

Martinez played all 90 minutes in the net for SMCC and made three stops in the second half. SMCC produced three corner kicks and committed 10 fouls, and Verduzco saw a yellow card in the first half.

PVCC scored off a free kick in the fourth minute, doubled their lead on a scramble after a corner kick in the 13th minute and made it 3-0 in the 25th. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in the second half as the Pumas' goal in the 59th minute was quickly answered by Amador in the 61st.

SMCC returns to action Friday, Aug. 26, with a 6 p.m. match at Phoenix College. 

Hear from #SMCC freshman Marco Amador after his pair of goals today pic.twitter.com/5unUlyf9cM

— SMCC Athletics (@SMCCCougars) August 19, 2022