San Jacinto College soccer advances to semi-final round at national championships

Kyle Smith - 11/21/2008 San Jacinto College’s Edward Campbell takes on two South Suburban defenders in San Jac’s 3-1 quarterfinal win at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship tournament in Phoenix, Arizona. Campbell had one goal and one assist.

PHOENIX, Arizona – No. 2 San Jacinto College defeated No. 7 South Suburban College 3-1 on Thursday to advance to the semifinal round at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship.

Though it wasn’t pretty, San Jac head coach Dr. David Santesteban said, “At this point a win is a win.” SJC went down 0-1 early in the second half, but that was all it took for the team to come alive.

After giving up the goal, SJC was determined to get the ball in the net. To tie it up, Eduardo Santos sent a beautiful cross to Edward Campbell, who drilled the ball into the net. “I thought I was offsides at first, but the official didn’t say anything so I kept going,” said Campbell.

San Jac went ahead 2-1 when Josue Garcia scored off an assist from Hosman Ramos, and SJC sealed the deal with an assist from Campbell to Jesus Santiago to make it 3-1.

“Edward (Campbell) played a heck of a game,” noted Santesteban. “He was one of the few guys out there today who had that extra pop.”

San Jac advances to the semifinal round and will play No. 3 Mercer County Community College at 4 p.m., Friday, November 21 in Phoenix, Arizona. Mercer defeated Essex, 4-1, to advance.

Follow all the tournament action at www.pvc.maricopa.edu/njcaa/index.html. For more information about San Jacinto College soccer visit www.sanjacsports.com.