By James Hernandez

The Lady Coyotes hit the road for the Grand Canyon State as they prepared to battle the Gateway Community College Geckos and the #9 ranked Paradise Valley Community College Pumas in an action packed opening weekend go high level junior college soccer. 

Year four of the Southern Nevada Women's soccer program began with a matchup versus the Gateway Community College Geckos under the sweltering desert heat Friday morning in Phoenix, Arizona. A balanced offensive attack paid dividends early, just ten minutes into the match to be exact, when Nohemi Mendoza converted a quality feed of the foot of Dona Acierto into CSN's first goal of 2019.

The Lady Coyotes kept the pedal to the metal offensively and the persistence paid off in a huge way. CSN erupted for four goals in a seven minute span courtesy of Katherine Realegeno, Kayla Meyer, Megan Donnelly and Gianna Faress to take a commanding 5-0 lead into halftime. A relaxed and confident group of Lady Coyotes came out of the locker room to begin the second half, putting forth another defensive effort that saw the team allow just one shot in goal in the entire 90 minute match.

Amanda Carducci and Lianna Soifua became the sixth and seventh different Lady Coyotes to tally a goal in the match when they scored just 60 apart to expand CSN's lead to 7-0. Nohemi Mendoza found the back of the net for the second time in the match at the 54:00 minute mark to punctuate an impressive 8-0 shutout victory over the GWCC Geckos to open the 2019 season. Antelope Valley transfer Amanda Lujan was solid in net, recording the shutout with Nohemi Mendoza (2 goals, 1 assist), Jessica Carnahan (2 assists) and Sara Marie-Covarrubias (2 assists) leading the way offensively. 

A tougher challenge awaited the Lady Coyotes Saturday morning when they invaded PVCC stadium to battle the #9 ranked Paradise Valley Community College Pumas on their home pitch.

Both sides came out with a defensive mindset, scrapping and clawing for every inch in a tightly contested opening half. Both sides were only able to produce 2 shots on goal apiece, with neither side able to dent the scoreboard in a scoreless first forty-five minutes of play.

A refocused Southern Nevada group took the pitch to start the second half and just three minutes into the second half sophomore Benedictine transfer Megan Donnelly converted a perfect pass off the boot of Natividad Martinez, into the matches first goal.

With a 1-0 advantage, the Lady Coyotes were really able to settle in and execute their math strategy to perfection. CSN continued to be one step ahead of the 9th ranked Pumas all day, and in the 82nd minute Brooke Haley cemented the upset bid when she found the back of the Pumas net courtesy of a great feed from Nohemi Mendoza. Jessica Carnahan put a bow on this one in the 87th minute with a statement goal that extended the Lady Coyotes lead to 3-0.

Southern Nevada shutout the #9 ranked Paradise Valley Community College Pumas to improve to 2-0 on the year with a pair of shutout victories to begin the 2019 season. 

Fans plan to "Pack the Den" for the Lady Coyotes home opener Thursday August 30th versus Sheridan College and Friday August 31st versus #12 Arizona Western College. For match times and live updates all weekend log onto www.csncoyotes.com or follow us on Facebook CSNCoyotes and Twitter @CSN_Wsoc.