MOHAVE COUNTY – The schedule is set for the inaugural season of Mohave Community College Women’s Soccer, and Bighorn fans can now mark their calendars for game-days in Bullhead City!
Women’s Head Coach Robert Podeyn called it a privilege to head the women’s program, noting the hard work that has gone in to bringing the inaugural season to fruition. He expressed his gratitude to MCC staff, the Bighorn Booster Club, community members, and Bullhead City and its personnel.
“I have worked hard to get us ready for our first season, though my contributions have been small compared to the work of so many others,” he said. “It’s truly inspiring to be a part of such a passionate team that was motivated to see athletics become a reality for Mohave Community College.”
Mohave Community College Women’s Soccer is by no means easing into play, with Podeyn saying there’s stiff competition within Division 1 of the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC). In fact, he says a few of those teams are likely to be contenders for this year’s National Title.
“There are a total of seven teams in our conference and we will play everyone twice. The challenge is that three of the teams in our conference should be ranked in the Top 25, with Arizona Western and Eastern Arizona, which will both see their pre-season ranking positioned in the Top 10,” Podeyn said. “No other conference has this type of competition at our level. It’ll be both challenging and fun to compete at such a high level right away.”
The Bighorns will open their season at Yavapai Community College’s tournament, taking on Snow College on Aug. 23, followed by a matchup on Aug. 24 against Ottawa University Arizona JV. Podeyn says Snow College is likely to be ranked in the Top 25 to start the season as well and that both games will offer immediate challenges to start the season. Mohave Community College Women’s Soccer will then have their first-ever home game in Bullhead City on Friday, Aug. 30, hosting Northwest Colorado, yet another competitive team.
“This will be an exciting experience that will only happen once in anyone’s lifetime! The first goal we score will be the first in program history; the first win we share will be the first in program history,” he said. “Everything will be the first and we want to share that with everyone. It has been a labor of love for everyone involved to get us to this point where we are on the eve of our very first season. We want to share this experience with everyone in the community. It’s their team! We want them to share every moment with us.”
On that note, Podeyn reminds the community that there will be free admission to Mohave Community College Women’s Soccer home games.
“I want our game environment to be the best in junior college soccer,” Podeyn said. “I want us to have the loudest fans, the best environment, and I want it to be the hardest place for our opponents to play. I don’t just want our fans to watch games, I want them to have an experience. That starts with them being active participants from the sidelines.”
Stay up-to-date with Mohave Community College Women’s Soccer at athletics.mohave.edu and https://www.instagram.com/mohavewsoccer/.
