Apaches defeat Arizona Western 4-3 to advance to final

Box Score:  https://www.apacheathletics.com/sports/msoc/2023-24/boxscores/20231116_m7u8.xml

Photos:  https://www.njcaa.org/sports/msoc/2023-24/photos/0040/index

Story in Tyler Morning Telegraph by Phil Hicks:  https://tylerpaper.com/sports/apaches-playing-for-national-championship/article_bde134ac-8519-11ee-9456-ff37e90ef446.html 

The Tyler Junior College men's soccer team is one win from their 7th national championship.  On Thursday, the Apaches defeated Arizona Western College, the #1 seed, 4-3 in Wichita, Kansas.  Tyler would score first on a goal by Itsuki Matsuyama at 10:36, Yart Van Lieshout would put another ball in the net just before half at 41:50.  The #1 seed Matadors would score at 51:11 to make it 2-1.  But the Apaches would answer with a goal by  Diomario Adamson at 53:59 and it was again a two score lead at 3-1.  The score stay at 3-1 for much of the second half, but Diego Ruiz would extend Tyler's advantage with a goal at 73:33.  Arizona Western, who had not lost all season, would not go quietly and answered quickly with a goal by  Terry Makedika at 74:27.  Another goal at the 89:22 mark gave the Matadors hope for a miracle comeback, but the Apaches were able to hold on to the 4-3 victory.  Tyler advances to the final on Saturday against the #4 seed Monroe(NY) at 4 pm.  The final will broadcast on ESPN+.