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The top-seeded Aztecs (13-1-5) defeated No. 2 Phoenix College 2-1 to clinch a spot in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in Wichita, Kansas, from Nov. 16-22.

Pima had lost to Phoenix in the last three region championship games and was down 1-0 before Cervantes scored in the 63rd minute. In the 65th minute, she then scored the eventual game-winner on a penalty kick.

Aztecs sophomore midfielder Anjeli DesRosier was named the game’s MVP.

“Last year we were in the same spot at Phoenix, we ended up losing and got lucky with the bid (to Nationals),� DesRosier said in a press release. “It felt really great to finally get the upper leg on Phoenix.�

Goalkeeper Brooke Valencia had seven saves in the win.

– Pima coach Kendra Veliz was named the ACCAC Coach of the Year last week. It’s the fifth time she’s won the award in her career, and the first since 2015.

– Five Aztecs earned All-ACCAC first-team honors: Valencia, DesRosier, Cervantes, Meredith Galus and Samantha Mendez.

Men’s soccer

Pima will wait to find out if it qualifies for the national tournament after falling 4-2 at No. 1 seed Phoenix College in the Region I, Division II Championship last week.

The Aztecs (16-3) should still be in good shape to make the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in Wichita, Kansas, from Nov. 16-22 after falling short against the Bears (18-1).

Leonel Gutierrez and Robert Castaneda both scored in the title game for the No. 2-seeded Aztecs.

“I hope the season is just starting,� said midfielder Sebastian Guzman in a press release. “I hope we make it to Nationals and I think we deserve it by the way we’ve worked and the way we’ve handled things.�

– Gutierrez was named the ACCAC/Region I, Division II Player of the Year. He’s the 10th Pima player in the past 16 years to win the award. Gutierrez has 21 goals and six assists in 18 games. Castaneda and Eythan Mancilla joined Gutierrez on the All-ACCAC first team.

Men’s basketball

The No. 3-ranked Aztecs improved to 2-0 with a 132-53 rout of visiting Benedictine University Mesa JV on Friday at home.

Already leading 60-33 at halftime, Pima went on a 27-2 run to take a commanding 87-35 lead.

Isaac Johnson shot 20 of 23 from the field to finish with a career-high 42 points. Isaiah Hill notched a triple-double with 18 points, 12 assists and 11 steals.

It was the second straight blowout win for Pima, which opened the year with a 141-67 romp of Community Christian College on Nov. 4. Brock Mendoza had 22 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

Pima next hosts Arizona Christian University JV at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Women’s basketball

Todd Holthaus earned his 400th career victory as Pima (1-1) notched its first victory of the year with a 99-55 victory at Yavapai College on Nov. 4.

No. 2-ranked Pima got 26 points and 10 rebounds from Kiley Sours-Miller in the win.

Holthaus is now 400-177 in 19 seasons. His Aztecs next play in the SC4 Thumbcoast Tip-Off from Thursday through Saturday.

Other sports

– The Aztecs’ volleyball season ended in the Region I, Division II semifinals with a 3-0 loss to No. 1-seeded Mesa CC last week. Game scores were 25-21, 25-23, 25-17. Maggie McReynolds had 10 kills and eight digs for Pima, which finishes the year 10-14.

– The Pima women’s cross country team finished 22nd at the NJCAA Division I National Championships in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on Saturday. Sofia Cambridge finished 99th among individuals in 21:34.2 to lead the Aztecs in the 5K event.

– The Pima men’s cross country team placed 24th at the NJCAA Division I National Championships in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on Saturday. Kallen McCracken led the Aztecs in the 8K race, finishing 84th in 27:39.3.