Thatcher, AZ (September 16, 2025) – The College of Southern Nevada Coyotes men's soccer team continued ACCAC conference play on Tuesday evening, traveling to John Mickelson Stadium in Thatcher to take on the Eastern Arizona College Gila Monsters. In a contest defined by intensity, physical play, and stretches of promising attack, CSN fought until the final whistle but fell by a 2–0 margin.

With the result, the Coyotes move to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in ACCAC play. While the outcome didn't tilt in CSN's favor, the effort, resilience, and flashes of quality throughout the 90 minutes were clear building blocks for the team as it prepares to return home for a critical matchup against Arizona Western College on September 23.

Traveling to Thatcher is never easy, and the Coyotes showed focus early in a hostile environment. Eastern Arizona looked to establish rhythm in the midfield, but CSN's back line, led by Sean Escamilla, Julian Garcia, and Andrew Pena, stayed disciplined and compact.

Goalkeeper Johan Hernandez was vocal and steady, recording two important saves in the opening period to keep the match scoreless.

Hernandez's leadership in organizing the defense allowed the Coyotes to absorb pressure without conceding space centrally.

Meanwhile, the Coyotes created chances of their own. Enrique Reyes-Avila looked dangerous in the attacking third, recording two first-half shots. Midfielders Francisco Duran-Andrade and Omar Ibarra worked tirelessly to connect defense to attack, while substitute Jordan Nathan brought immediate energy, placing one of CSN's best early chances on target.

By halftime, the scoreboard still read 0–0. On the road, against a traditionally strong opponent, the Coyotes had shown they could match intensity and keep themselves within striking distance.

The second half began with both teams trading possession and looking for the breakthrough. Unfortunately for CSN, the deadlock was broken in the 49th minute when Eastern Arizona found the opener off a direct pass into the box.

Undeterred, the Coyotes responded with urgency. Miguel Pina, who entered from the bench, immediately sparked the attack, registering two shots—including one on target that forced a diving save. Forward Paul Jankowski worked relentlessly to stretch the defense, creating space for Pina and Reyes-Avila to operate.

The match's most dramatic stretch came midway through the half. With Eastern leading 1–0, the Coyotes pressed higher and nearly found the equalizer, but a counterattack in the 70th minute resulted in a second goal for the home side.

Even at 2–0, CSN refused to back down. Hernandez made two more quality saves to deny Eastern's attempts to extend the margin. Substitutes Anthony Lopez-Tzunum and Alejandro Marquez added fresh legs, helping CSN finish the match pushing forward.

The Coyotes now return to Las Vegas for a pivotal home fixture against Arizona Western College on Tuesday, September 23. With conference play heating up, the match offers a chance to protect home turf and secure that first ACCAC victory of the season.

The lessons from Thatcher—staying compact, creating quality looks, and playing with collective spirit—will be the foundation CSN builds upon next week.

The scoreboard in Thatcher may not have favored CSN, but the Coyotes left the field with their identity intact: a team that plays with heart, refuses to quit, and continues to grow stronger with every challenge.

From Hernandez's saves to the energy of Pina and Nathan, from the leadership of Escamilla and Garcia to the unrelenting fight across the roster, the Coyotes showed that they belong in the ACCAC conversation.

With the season still young, and plenty of matches left to play, CSN has the opportunity to turn lessons into wins. Tuesday's home contest against Arizona Western provides the perfect stage for the Coyotes to show their resilience, bounce back, and continue writing the story of a team built on grit, unity, and determination.