AWC women’s soccer shuts out Mohave College to advance to Region One Championship

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - The Arizona Western College women's soccer team continues to look unstoppable.

After an undefeated regular season, the Matadors carried that momentum into the postseason Wednesday night, shutting out Mohave Community College 5-0 at Matador Soccer Field to advance to the Region One Championship.

It was the third straight time AWC has faced Mohave this season and just like the first two, the Matadors came out victorious.

It didn't take long for AWC to strike. Just seven minutes into the match, Momo Chogyogi found space in the middle of the box and buried a shot in the left corner, giving the Matadors a 1-0 lead.

Later in the first half, Reina Kasano set up Asa Yamazaki for a shot that drew out the keeper, allowing Kanon Ozaki to tap in an easy goal to make it 2-0.

Mohave keeper Evelyn Montiel-Silva did her best to keep the Bighorns in it, making several impressive saves including a diving stop against Linka Ono, the ACCAC Player of the Year.

But just before halftime, AWC earned a penalty kick after a handball in the box. Kei Yoneda calmly buried it, extending the Matador lead to 3-0 going into the break.

AWC didn't let up in the second half. Reika Yuba scored in the 63rd minute, assisted by Kiana Knudson, and minutes later, Kasano found the back of the net off a feed from Yamazaki to make it 5-0.

The Matadors outshot Mohave 41-1, with 22 shots landing on goal. AWC goalkeeper Iyan Hernandez didn't face a single shot on target, recording the clean sheet in 90 minutes of action.

After the game, Head Coach Victor Verdugo, who was recently named ACCAC Coach of the Year, praised his team’s effort and depth:

"We've got to start playing a full 90 minutes, and this was a good experience for our players...especially some of our freshmen in their first playoff game," Verdugo said. "We have our starting 11, but for us, it's really a 22-player roster. Everyone who came in kept the intensity, stayed hungry, and wanted minutes. That's what it's all about."

With the win, Arizona Western (15-0-0) advances to the Region One Championship Game on Saturday, where they'll face Cochise College, a familiar opponent that upset No. 12 Eastern Arizona in penalty kicks Wednesday night.

The Matadors will look to stay perfect and bring home another Region One title before turning their sights to nationals.