The Apaches traveled to Phoenix to face the Mesa Thunderbirds.
The Thunderbirds struck first with an early goal when in the 5th minute, Rylee Rottweiler was given too much space around her to make it 1-0. Mesa kept applying pressure on the Apaches’ defense, which allowed them to add another goal in the 13th minute. The Apaches started to find a rhythm in their game, and in the 17th minute, Kayla Reynaud (Las Cruces, NM) intercepted a pass and sent a 40 yard shot towards the goalkeeper to make it 2-1. The first-half score was 2-1 for Thunderbirds.
The second half offered more scoring opportunities on both sides. Mesa added another goal in the 76th minute when Annabella Bara broke through the defense to score again, 3-1 for the Thunderbirds. Cochise picked up the game and heavily pressured Mesa’s defensive lines, which resulted in a goal. It all happened in the 84th minute when Sofia Gallegos (Chihuahua, Mexico) made a great run in the middle of the field to find the ball. She immediately saw a chance to play through pass to Jenally Barco (Douglas, AZ), who scored her first collegiate goal to make it 3-2. Despite pressuring the Thunderbirds for the rest of the game, Apaches were not able to take advantage of their chances in the final minutes of the game.
The first loss of the season puts the Apaches’ record to 4-1.
The Apaches will try to bounce back on September 16 and host NJCAA D2 Champions from Phoenix College. The game will be played at CYR Complex in Sierra Vista, and the kickoff is at 5 p.m.