Romero Scores Hat Trick as Aztecs Men's Soccer Advance to Region Semifinals

The Pima Community College men's soccer team (17-2-2) were in a defensive battle on Monday in the Region I, Division I quarterfinals.

Sophomore Jason Romero scored two late goals as the No. 3 seeded Aztecs defeated No. 6 Mesa Community College 3-0 at the Kino North Grandstand to advance to the semifinal round on Wednesday.

The second half was a defensive struggle with both teams but a foul in the box with 1:17 left in the game gave the Aztecs a penalty kick. Romero bested the Mesa goalkeeper to put Pima up 2-0. Romero wasn't finished as he scored off a pass from fellow sophomore Alejandro Gonzalez (Flowing Wells HS) with 35 seconds left to seal it.

Romero put Pima on the scoreboard in the 12^th minute when he hit a free kick. The Aztecs held on to a 1-0 advantage at the break.

The Aztecs defense held Mesa to one shot on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Taylor Anderson (Salpointe Catholic HS) had one save.

The Aztecs will play at No. 2 seed Arizona Western College on Wednesday in Yuma at 6:00 p.m.

Pima goals: Romero (free kick) 12^th minute; Romero (penalty kick) 88^th minute; Romero (Gonzalez) 89^th minute.

Jason Romero/Photo by Ben Carbajal 2015