Prescott, AZ (September 13, 2025) – The College of Southern Nevada Coyotes men's soccer team traveled to the high desert on Saturday for their first ACCAC road test of the season, facing perennial powerhouse Yavapai College. The Coyotes battled for 90 minutes but ultimately came away empty-handed, dropping a 2–0 decision at Ken Lindley Field.

The loss drops CSN to 3–2 overall, 0–2 in ACCAC play, while the Roughriders improved their early conference standing with another strong home victory.

The opening minutes saw CSN attempt to set a defensive shape against Yavapai's high-pressure system. The Roughriders controlled possession, probing the Coyotes' back line through the wings and testing central spaces with quick passing combinations.

Goalkeeper Johan Hernandez was immediately active, directing his back four and cutting off crosses from both flanks. Defenders Sean Escamilla, Julian Garcia, and Alan Carmona each absorbed the initial waves of pressure, making key clearances to prevent early damage.

The breakthrough for Yavapai came just before halftime. After sustained buildup play, midfielder Andres Pulido found space outside the box in the 43rd minute and rifled a shot past Hernandez to make it 1–0 Roughriders.
For CSN, the first half offered few chances on the counter. Forwards Ian Martinez and Paul Jankowski each recorded shot attempts, but neither tested the Yavapai goalkeeper. The Coyotes entered halftime down by a goal, frustrated but still within striking distance.

The Coyotes regrouped after the break, pushing higher into the midfield through Omar Ibarra and Matias Martinez, who tried to link play with wings Alan Pacheco and Anthony Lopez-Tzunum. However, Yavapai's disciplined midfield trio consistently disrupted passing lanes.

The game's pivotal moment arrived in the 62nd minute. Pulido once again showcased his finishing touch, this time latching onto a feed from Blake Robinson to double the Roughriders' lead.
The strike gave Yavapai a 2–0 cushion and forced CSN to chase the game.

Just minutes later, CSN's task grew even more difficult. Defender Alan Carmona was shown a two yellow cards turning into a red card in the 74th minute after a heavy challenge, reducing the Coyotes to ten men. Compounding matters, Garcia picked up a caution moments later, leaving the back line shorthanded and under constant stress.
 
Despite the scoreline, Hernandez delivered a standout performance. The sophomore goalkeeper faced a relentless barrage, as Yavapai unleashed 28 total shots, 14 on frame. Hernandez finished with 12 saves, many of them spectacular diving stops that kept the Coyotes alive.

His efforts were particularly vital in the opening stages of both halves, denying Yavapai striker Dante Espino-Kennedy from close range and parrying away long-distance efforts from Pulido and Cesar Augusto Oliviera da Silva.

Without Hernandez's presence, the score could have ballooned well beyond two goals.

Offensively, CSN struggled to establish rhythm throughout the match. The Coyotes recorded just six total shots, none of which landed on target.
Martinez and Jankowski provided the best looks, but both saw their opportunities sail wide of frame.

Substitutes Enrique Reyes-Avila and Jordan Nathan attempted to inject life into the attack in the second half, each registering a shot, but Yavapai's back line, anchored by Ricardo Juarez, consistently closed down space.
The absence of clear chances underscored the challenge CSN faced against one of the league's toughest defenses.

Saturday's match was marked by physical intensity, with fouls and cards shaping the storyline. A total of six cards were issued:

• Yavapai's Caua dos Santos was booked early in the 18th minute.
• Escamilla (19'), Ibarra (65'), and Duran-Andrade (33') were all shown yellows for CSN.
• Carmona's red card (74') and Garcia's caution in the same minute capped a difficult disciplinary day.

The Coyotes' inability to stay composed cost them in the final 20 minutes, as Yavapai capitalized on the numerical advantage to control possession and see out the result.
 
Statistical Snapshot

• Final Score: Yavapai 2, CSN 0
• Goals: Yavapai – Pulido (43', 62'), assists by Robinson on the second goal.
• Shots: Yavapai 28, CSN 6
• Shots on Goal: Yavapai 14, CSN 0
• Saves: CSN 12 (Hernandez), Yavapai 3
• Cards: 5 for CSN (4 yellow, 1 red), 1 for Yavapai

The stats paint a clear picture: Yavapai dominated the attacking phases, while CSN leaned heavily on their goalkeeper.

This defeat leaves CSN at 3–2 overall and 0–2 in conference play. The Coyotes' three non-conference wins earlier in the season showed their potential, but the transition into ACCAC competition has highlighted the physicality and tactical sharpness required to compete with the conference's elite.

Coach and staff will need to emphasize composure, discipline, and sharper finishing as the Coyotes continue through the schedule. While the defense and goalkeeping remain strengths, the lack of shots on target in Prescott signals a need for more cohesive attacking play.

The Coyotes won't have long to regroup. Their next match is set for Tuesday, September 16, in Thatcher, Arizona, where they will face Eastern Arizona College. The contest offers CSN an opportunity to bounce back and earn their first conference victory of the season.

With Eastern Arizona also looking to climb the ACCAC standings, the match promises to be another test of resilience. For CSN, the keys will be discipline, finishing, and finding a way to translate defensive grit into offensive chances.

While the trip to Prescott ended in disappointment, the Coyotes leave with valuable lessons. Against one of the top programs in the region, Hernandez's heroics in goal stood out as a bright spot, and the defensive unit showed flashes of resilience despite playing down a man late.

As the season progresses, the Coyotes' challenge will be turning those flashes into sustained consistency — staying disciplined under pressure, creating higher-quality scoring chances, and capitalizing on set pieces and counterattacks.

If those adjustments can be made, CSN has the talent and depth to turn early conference struggles into momentum for the remainder of the campaign.