AWC receives at-large bid to national tournament
The Lady Mats are headed to the NJCAA Division-I Women's Soccer Tournament
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - The Arizona Western Lady Matadors are heading to the NJCAA Division I Women's Soccer National Championship after receiving an at-large bid from the committee.
After a loss in the Region I Final to Cochise College, which was their first loss at home in three years, their tourney hopes were up in the air, but the girls didn't waver.
"I thought when we came back the next Monday, the group realized we still have a tomorrow, we still have an opportunity to go to a national tournament," said Matadors Head Coach Victor Verdugo.
AWC was placed in Group C with the Salt Lake Community College Bruin Bears and the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals, one of which the Matadors are familiar with.
The Lady Mats met the Bruin Bears in the semifinals last year and defeated them 3-2 in Penalty Kicks but fell to Daytona State in the Championship.
This year, it's different for a vengeant Verdugo.
"This year, I think this is the one we got to go through," Verdugo said. "I think the way they seeded us sets us up that there will be no question when we're done a Saturday from now that we deserve to be a national champion."
With that mindset, he wants to stress the importance of the net couple of games.
"The girls know the next time we step on the field, when the whistle is done, one of us, one of our seasons, one of us gets to go home, and for us, we're looking to make sure that's not us," Verdugo said.
With how dominant the Lady Matadors have been, he's confident in their unit.
"I don't think anybody wants to be in our group. There's that regard of Western at all cylinders, very difficult team to handle, and I think we have the experience," Verdugo said. "We've had the right players come in, and it will be exciting for us. It will be two games that we're going to get pushed to the limit if we want to come out of the group."
The first game of group play will begin this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. against Trinity Valley Community College at the Advance Soccer Complex in Enid, Oklahoma.
