YUMA, Ariz. – The Yavapai College men's soccer team nearly erased a three-goal deficit on Saturday night in the NJCAA Division I Region I Championship game against the No. 1-ranked Arizona Western College Matadors, however, AWC hung on in the end and emerged victorious with a 4-2 final. 

The Roughriders conclude their season as the region runner-ups for the third-consecutive season while posting an overall record of 8-6 in 2023. 

10 minutes into the game, AWC took a 1-0 lead after an initial save from YC presented a rebound opportunity that found the back of the net. 

Just one minute after the Matador goal, freshman forward Jorge Quintero lined up for a free kick from just outside the box and nearly answered the Matador goal, however, the AWC keeper made a miraculous diving save to his right to preserve the lead.

The incredible save from Arizona Western was one of two full-extension diving saves in the first half. 

20 minutes later and with 16 left to play in the first half, AWC headed its second goal of the night into the back of the net to take a commanding 2-0 lead. 

Despite another great free kick attempt from the foot of Quintero just before the break, YC trailed 2-0 at halftime on Saturday night. 

After halftime, the Roughriders were unable to convert on some scoring chances and fell behind 3-0 with 25 left to play after another Matador goal. 

In danger of the contest getting way out of hand, things started to get interesting in the closing minutes of the playoff matchup. 

With 22 minutes left to play, Quintero lined up for a penalty kick and, despite the AWC keeper stopping the shot, the rebound went directly to Quintero who deposited it into the wide-open net for his 10th goal of the season while cutting the YC deficit to 3-1. 

Breaking through on the scoresheet seemed to be the shot in the arm the Roughriders needed as they began to dominate the possession in the closing minutes and found themselves with another scoring opportunity with just under 10 minutes left to play. 

It was Quintero again as he lined up for a free kick from about 10 yards outside of the box and found paydirt once more. This time, Quintero placed a perfect shot to the left of the AWC keeper, aided by several Matadors screening him on the play, and scored his 11th goal of the season while cutting the deficit to just one goal. 

Needing a goal to salvage their season, the Roughriders pushed the ball up the field with ease and owned the possession, however, no soccer balls touched the back of the Matador net and AWC scored an empty netter as time expired to clinch the 4-2 victory while taking home the NJCAA Division I Region I Championship.