– Contributor/photographer Christina Hundley
Paradise Valley Community College’s women’s soccer team ends its season as the 2012 ACCAC Champions, advancing the to the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 1 playoffs, and the PVCC men’s team goes to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
The Puma men are the No. 6 seed in the six-team Region 1 tournamen with a record of (9-10-1). They play at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23 against #3 seed Chandler/Gilbert Community College. The Pumas ended the season with wins in their last two games.
The Puma women (19-0-1) are the #1 seed in the Region tournament and are No. 2 in the most recent national poll. As the top seed, they earned a bye to Wednesday’s semi-finals and will host Phoenix College on the PVCC’s Shoenhair Field, 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24.
“The women have had an incredible season. This is an amazing group of talent and heart. We have scored 91 goals and only given up 4 goals in regular season play. We are optimistic going into playoffs,” said Head Coach Casey Bingham as she readies her team for the playoffs. “We are ready to be pushed and challenged at a higher level.”
ACCAC Acknowledges five Puma women
The Arizona Community College Athletic Conference and Region 1 recognized five PVCC Women’s soccer players with the selection of Jessie DeLeon, Ali Doller, and Tianna Stewart to the ACCAC All Conference First Team.
“These three ladies were attacking powerhouses in our conference. They each bring a different dynamic to our attack that makes us so dangerous,” Bingham said. Courtney Chung and Kendall Fraley were selected to the Second Team. “Courtney and Kendall have been key in our midfield, both attacking and defensively. They are asked to do so much for us each game. Kendall helps us win and keep the ball on possession. Courtney is extremely technical and very strong at winning balls in the air for us.”