SMCC Men's Soccer Draws with Chandler-Gilbert CC, Falls to PVCC

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College men's soccer team (1-3-1, 1-1-1 ACCAC) played to a 1-1 draw with Chandler-Gilbert CC on Saturday, Sept. 9, in an Arizona Community College Athletic Conference match at the SMCC Soccer Field. Three days earlier, SMCC fell 3-2 at Paradise Valley CC in its 2023 ACCAC opener. 

Chandler-Gilbert CC Recap 

Freshman Alfonso Maldonado tied the match in the 63rd minute with his team-leading fourth goal of the season, and freshman Atxel Medrano recorded his first career assist on the play. Medrano came streaking down the left flank and fired a low shot that the Coyote goalkeeper pushed to his left. Maldonado crashed the goal mouth and slammed the rebound into the top of the netting to level the contest. 

The Coyotes jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage after pouncing on an SMCC miscue. The Cougars attempted to clear their lines on a goal kick, but a turnover near the penalty area gave CGCC's Kyle Brereton a clear shot on frame that he did not miss. 

SMCC outshot CGCC 15-6 for the match and forced eight saves from the Coyotes' goalkeeper. Sophomore Max Melendez started the game in goal for the Cougars and made two saves while playing 45 minutes. Freshman Anthony Sauceda made one save in the second half to earn the draw. 

SMCC had four corner kicks to one for the CGCC, and the two teams combined for 23 fouls. SMCC's Anthony Flores saw the yellow card in the 80th minute. 

Paradise Valley CC Recap

SMCC scored two first-half goals to take a 2-1 lead at halftime. However, the Pumas rallied for a pair of goals over eight minutes in the second half to escape with the 3-2 victory. 

Trailing 1-0 after a goal in the 16th minute, Maldonado tied the match in the 30th minute off an assist from sophomore Marco Amador. The Cougars built up the play from the back, Amador found a cutting Maldonado, and the freshman beat the PVCC goalie to his left for his second goal of the season. 

Six minutes later, Maldonado created a turnover off a PVCC goal kick and gave SMCC the 2-1 advantage. 

SMCC outshot PVCC 16-7 over the 90 minutes and forced six saves from the Pumas' goalkeeper. Melendez played all 90 minutes in goal for the Cougars and made one save. 

Both teams had two corner kicks, and both teams committed six fouls. Flores saw the yellow card in the second half.