Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Matadors Advance to Region I Final After Dramatic Comeback

AWC Athletics
Matadors celebrate one of their goals.

Down a pair of goals at the half, the Arizona Western Matadors scored twice in the second half before completing the comeback in overtime against the Phoenix College Bears Wednesday night, advancing to the Region I Final.

The win sends AWC back to the Region I Final for the first time since 2012, setting up a re-match with the Pima Aztecs in Tucson on Saturday.

Phoenix had the first goal of the game midway through the first half when Kazuyuki Hata was setup in the box by David Campos and Hata gave Phoenix the 1-0 lead.

Hata's cross just five minutes before the half was deflected before Jose Romero cashed it in to push the Phoenix lead to 2-0. The Bears would hold the lead at the half.

But Arizona Western's response came late, and swiftly. Daniel Vazquez crossed in a chance that was scored by Jesus Chillon to give the Matadors life in the 77th minute.

Seven minutes late Esteban Franco crossed in a ball finished off by Michele Signorelli to tie the match at two goals a piece.

The Matadors would get the deciding goal just five minutes into overtime as Leo Amaral delivered the advancing goal.

Meanwhile, Duro Dragicevic,the ACCAC/Region I Goalkeeper of the Year, kept the Mats in it making 12 saves to prevent Phoenix from widening the margin any futher.

The Matadors will have a tough task ahead of them as the fourth seed traveling to the third seeded, and defending National Champion, Pima Aztecs on Saturday. The match will take place at 6:00pm at the Kino North Stadium in Tucson, AZ.

Related Content