Cochise Women’s Soccer Stuns No. 1 Arizona Western to Win 2025 NJCAA Region I Championship

YUMA, Ariz. (Nov. 1, 2025) — The Cochise College women's soccer team is bringing a championship plaque back to Douglas. The Apaches claimed the 2025 NJCAA Region I Championship on Saturday evening, defeating No. 1 seed Arizona Western College 1–0 at Matador Soccer Field in Yuma.

After a tense defensive battle that featured missed penalty kicks, shots off the crossbar, and late pressure from the top-ranked Matadors, Cochise broke through in the 78th minute when sophomore captain Stephanie Vazquez-Ceron buried a shot from distance to deliver the championship-winning goal. The strike snapped a scoreless match and silenced a home crowd expecting a repeat performance from AWC, who entered the night 14-1-0 on the year.

Cochise goalkeeper Marissa Tamayo delivered one of the greatest postseason performances in program history, recording 11 saves and turning away wave after wave of Matador attacks. Arizona Western finished with 22 total shots, including multiple dangerous looks from Kanon Ozaki and Reina Kasano, but the Apache backline held firm.

The win is especially significant considering the season series. AWC defeated Cochise 2–1 in Douglas on Sept. 20, and 5–0 in Yuma on Oct. 14. This time, the Apaches flipped the script — absorbing pressure, staying disciplined, and capitalizing on their biggest moment of the season. 

A True Championship Battle

• Final Score: Cochise 1, Arizona Western 0

• Goal: Vazquez-Ceron (78')

• Shots: AWC 22, Cochise 9

• Saves: Tamayo 11

• PK Drama: Cochise missed four penalty kicks during the match, but never broke defensively

• Cochise Record: 12-4-3 overall, 8-3-2 ACCAC

Despite four missed penalty kicks, Cochise remained composed. Moments before the goal, Arizona Western struck the post and had a shot cleared away — momentum-turning plays that kept the door open long enough for the Apaches to find the winner.

On to the West District Championship

With the Region I title secured, Cochise advances to the NJCAA West District Championship, where they will travel to Ephraim, Utah to face Snow College on Saturday, November 8. A win there sends the Apaches to the NJCAA National Tournament.

Opponent: Snow College (Ephraim, UT)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 8
Event: West District Championship
Advances to: NJCAA Nationals

History Made

This marks one of the biggest postseason wins in Cochise Women's Soccer history — defeating the top team in the ACCAC, on the road, with a championship on the line.

Next stop: Utah.

The Apaches' postseason run continues Saturday as they try to punch their ticket to nationals.