Men's Soccer Receive NJCAA Votes for DI Rankings

Eastern Arizona College's men's soccer team had a standout week, showing they can compete with some of the top programs in the region. On September 3rd, the Gila Monsters hosted #8-ranked Arizona Western College in a gritty battle, falling just 1-0. Despite the loss, EAC's defense held strong. They faced six shots on goal, with goalkeeper Guilherme Palacio making five impressive saves to keep the game close in a 1-0 loss.

On Thursday, September 5th, the Gila Monsters turned things around with a 2-0 win over Western Texas. Joao Martins da Silva and Tajay Cummings each found the back of the net, with assists provided by Serigne "Papito" Ngom and Samuel Nunes de Araujo. Western Texas had faced Arizona Western the day before, losing 1-0, but EAC took control of their matchup from the start, securing the clean sheet.

The week ended on a high note when EAC traveled to face Arizona Christian University on Saturday, September 7th, earning a solid 3-1 victory. Oscar Gomez opened the scoring with an assist from Cristian Martinez. The second goal came from Nikarro Williams, who delivered a bicycle kick off a throw-in from Shawn Owens. Isaiah Owens sealed the win with the final goal.

This series of strong performances has earned the Monsters national recognition. EAC received votes in the National DI rankings for the first time since the program's inception in 2023, a significant milestone for the team. With momentum building, the Monsters are proving they're a program to watch as they continue their season. Go Monsters!