Arturo Vega certainly has the credentials.
On paper, you’d be hard-pressed to find a soccer player from Southern Arizona who’s accomplished more in the area.
Consider:
At Salpointe Catholic, Vega won two straight state titles his junior and senior years. In those two years, the Lancers went a combined 51-4 and Vega had 94 points, 32 goals and 30 assists.
In his freshman year at Pima, Vega tallied 14 goals and six assists and helped Pima to a 14-7-1 record.
Now, in this his sophomore season, Vega has a team-high 25 points, nine goals and seven assists, was named the ACCAC men’s soccer player of the year and last week helped Pima win the Region I, Division I tournament, in which he was named MVP. The Aztecs are 18-4-1 and have won five straight games.
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“It’s a great feeling,” Vega said. “Being a part of it is something that I pride myself on because not many people get the chance to be on such great teams, but since I have been part of them it’s a great feeling.”
Fellow Salpointe grads Christian Garcia-Cabello, Sergio Anaya and Chase Brennan also play for Pima.
The Aztecs will try to advance to the national tournament this weekend in the West District Playoffs. Pima will play Otero Junior College on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Kino Sports Complex North Grandstand. If the Aztecs win, they will play in the district championship on Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Star spoke with Vega on Tuesday:
What did it mean to win the region championship?
A: “It was something that we have been looking toward the whole season. We always strive to get the region championship and then we’ll see what comes from there. Now we have the district, and hopefully nationals, but it’s something that Pima has only been able to do a few times. And having this win is something that means a lot not only to us, but the past alumni that have been so close but haven’t been able to win it. This year was for all of them.”
What did it mean to win the player of the year award?
A: “It’s something I am very grateful for. I’ve worked hard since I was a freshman in high school, playing at the most competitive level. And to be recognized with this team and with my coach Dave Cosgrove who I’ve known for 12 years, it means a lot. I wouldn’t have come here if it weren’t for my teammates and weren’t for my coach. They bring out the best in me, and it’s a great feeling.”
What do you guys need to do this weekend to move on?
A: “I feel like we have to continue doing things right and work hard. When we do that, we have the chance to beat any team. Our style of play is the way we should go, and no game should change that.”
Other sports
- Women’s soccer won the Region I/District A championship on Saturday, beating Chandler-Gilbert CC 3-1 to improve to 16-4-2 on the season. Shannon Shields (Sabino), the ACCAC’s player of the year, won the Region I, Division I/District A MVP award.
- The Aztecs will play in the NJCAA National Tournament in Melbourne, Florida, from Nov. 17-22.
- Football picked up a 21-20 win against Eastern Arizona in double overtime on Saturday. Defensive lineman Cameron
- Bean helped the Aztecs stop a two-point conversion in the second OT. Thomas Romack (Sierra Vista Buena) had 17 tackles in the win. The playoff consolation bracket win improved Pima’s record to 3-7 on the season. The Aztecs will play at Mesa CC in the consolation final round on Saturday at 7 p.m.
- Kaysee Pilgrim and Alexis Ammerman (Tucson High) were named to the All-ACCAC conference and All-Region I teams. Pilgrim, a sophomore middle blocker, was a first-team All-ACCAC and second-team All-Region, while Ammerman, a sophomore outside hitter, was second team on both. The Aztecs, a No. 3 seed, will play No. 2 Scottsdale at 5 p.m. on Thursday in the double-elimination Region, Division II tournament. All matches will be played at South Mountain CC in Phoenix.
- Men’s basketball opened its season with an 82-81 win against Planet Athlete on Monday. Murphy Gershman (Tucson High) had 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Matt O’Boyle scored a team-high 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting.
