Matadors fall on the road in top 20 showdown versus Mohave College
BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. - Arizona Western's reign to repeat as ACCAC champions for the fifth straight year took a major blow Tuesday night. The #6 ranked Matadors lost to #16 Mohave College at Firebird Field 3-1. The Big Horns, in just the program's second season, entered the contest as the ACCAC's top scoring offense. Arizona Western, meanwhile, the conference's top defense. Both teams sat undefeated and deadlocked atop the ACCAC standings and home field advantage in the Region 1 standings on the line. Mohave College's Alan Salgado scored the first goal of the match at the 16-minute mark. Dominic Portale extended the lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 35th minute, sending Mohave College into the half with a 2-0 lead. Arizona Western got on the board with a goal by Noah Segura in the 56th-minute, his third goal of the season. Mohave College put the game away in the 82nd minute on a goal by Lazzar Ramos. Ramos is among the leaders in the nation in goals, points and shots taken. The 3-1 victory was the first in program history for Mohave College over Arizona Western. The Matadors are 2-1 all-time versus the Big Horns and now prepare for a rematch this Friday at Matador Field with a lot at stake. A win for Mohave College will give the Big Horns their first ever ACCAC regular season championship. A win for Arizona Western propels them into a tie for the ACCAC title. If that happens, the teams will be determined co-champions, and a coin flip will take place to decide who gets the #1 seed. Friday will also be "Sophomore night" at Matador Field; game time is set for 7:00 p.m.