Matador soccer to host Mesa
Mesa at (12) Arizona Western
Time: 7 p.m. today, AWC soccer field
Last game: The Matadors shut out Scottsdale 6-0; The Thunderbirds lost 4-3 to Glendale
Records: AWC (14-3 overall and Arizona Community College Athletic Conference); Mesa (6-12 overall, 6-11 ACCAC)
Players to watch: After his big game against the Artichokes, Arturo Valle took over the team lead in points (30) and goals (14). ... Robert Bechtel leads the Thunderbirds with 23 points and nine goals.
The lowdown: The Matadors are in the playoffs. The Thunderbirds are not. But there's still a chance the Matadors can catch Yavapai for the top spot. Not only do they have to win their last two games of the year — including at home Thursday against the Roughriders — they need Pima to win tonight in Prescott. It's a difficult task, but one Pima pulled off last year in the Region I finals. ... A win locks up the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the Region I tournament. ... AWC has won eight straight against Mesa.
— Edward Carifio
