SMCC Men's Soccer Releases 2023 Schedule

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's soccer team has released its 2023 fall schedule, which features six home matches against ACCAC opponents. The Cougars feature 14 returning letterwinners from the last season as they embark on their second season under the stewardship of head coach Pedro Mendoza. 

SMCC opens the year on the road with matches at Pima CC (Aug. 26) and Glendale CC (Aug. 29) before hosting Gateway CC in its 2023 home opener on Friday, Sept. 1, at 11:30 a.m. 

The Cougars travel to Paradise Valley CC (Sept. 5) before returning home to host Chandler-GIlbert CC on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 11:30 a.m. They then head to Mesa CC (Sept. 12) and host Arizona Western on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 3:30 p.m. 

SMCC also hosts Eastern Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 11:30 a.m. before hitting the road for matches at Glendale CC (Sept. 30) and Phoenix College (Oct. 3). 

The Cougars return home to host Yavapai College on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 3:30 p.m. before facing Scottsdale CC on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 11:30 a.m. for Sophomore Day. SMCC closes the 2023 regular season with a 7 p.m. contest at Pima CC (Oct. 17). 

Mendoza will have some familiar faces at his disposal in 2023. Sophomore Marco Amador returns after earning Second Team All-ACCAC and All-Region I Division II honors in 2022. He led SMCC with five goals, 10 points, 22 shots and 13 shots on goal and tallied the game-winning goal in double-overtime in a 1-0 victory over Gateway CC on Oct. 18. 

Sophomore Jason Diaz Mara posted three goals, nine shots and six shots on goal in 2022, while sophomore Dylan Lopez finished with three goals, 14 shots, and 10 shots on goal. Sophomores Kevin Tejada and Conlan McCoy each had a pair of assists, and Max Melendez recorded 21 saves in goal over six matches.