Cochise Women’s Soccer Head Coach Santos Rangel Named 2025 NJCAA West District Coach of the Year

Award presented at NJCAA Women’s Soccer Banquet in Enid, Oklahoma

Santos
November 16, 2025

ENID, Okla. (Nov. 16, 2025) — Cochise College Women's Soccer Head Coach Santos Rangel has been named the 2025 NJCAA West District Coach of the Year, as announced last night at the NJCAA Women's Soccer Awards Banquet in Enid, Oklahoma.

The honor recognizes Rangel's exceptional leadership in guiding the Apaches through the most successful season in program history. Now in his second year as head coach, and after spending two prior seasons as a Cochise assistant, Rangel has elevated the program to new heights — breaking long-standing barriers and setting new standards for success.

A Historic Season Under Rangel

Rangel's 2025 Cochise squad delivered a postseason run unmatched in program history, achieving:

2025 NJCAA Region I Champions

Cochise upset top-seeded Arizona Western — the No. 1 defensive team in the nation — with a 1–0 victory in Yuma.

  • Goalkeeper Marissa Tamayo made 11 saves.

  • Captain Stephanie Vazquez-Ceron scored the championship-winning strike.
    This marked the first Region I title in Cochise Women's Soccer history.

2025 NJCAA West District Champions

Just one week later, the Apaches defeated nationally ranked Snow College 2–1 on the road in Ephraim, Utah.

  • Sophomore Chayton Barron scored both goals

  • The win secured the first West District Championship ever for Cochise.

First NJCAA National Tournament Appearance

Under Rangel, the Apaches qualified for their first NJCAA Division I National Tournament, earning the #12 seed and competing in Group A against #1 Daytona State and #8 Monroe College.

Player Development & Recognition

Rangel coached three players to NJCAA All-Region honors:

Taddei also ranked among the top 20 goal scorers in the nation this season.

Program Identity

Rangel's teams have become known for:

  • High-energy, attacking play

  • Defensive resilience in pressure moments

  • Strong team culture and unity

  • Road toughness — winning crucial playoff matches at AWC and Snow College

Coach Rangel's Path to the Award

Before taking over as head coach in 2024, Rangel spent two years as the assistant coach at Cochise, helping build the foundation of the roster that now competes on the national stage. His connection to the players, commitment to development, and detailed tactical preparation have transformed the program into a postseason contender.

Looking Ahead

With a historic season still unfolding in Enid, Rangel and the Apaches continue their national-tournament journey, already securing the most successful campaign in program history. The Coach of the Year honor adds another milestone to a season defined by breakthrough moments and program-defining achievements.

Updates from the national tournament and postseason coverage can be found at athletics.cochise.edu. or via Cochise College Athletics social media channels.