Wichita, Kan. — The Phoenix College Bears men's soccer team has surged into the NJCAA Division II national semifinals, riding an electric start to the national tournament and clutch heroics in penalty kicks. On Thursday, Nov. 20 at 3:00 PM MST, the No. 1–seeded Bears will face Pima Community College in the Final Four.

Bears defeat St. Louis with a Clean Sheet

Phoenix opened pool play at the NJCAA national championships with a commanding 3–0 shutout over St. Louis Community College. The result put the Bears firmly atop their pool, securing their berth in the semifinal round. (pcbearsathletics.com)

While detailed individual statistics for that match (such as shots, possession, or goal-scorers) were not released by NJCAA, the clean sheet underscores the Bears' defensive discipline and composure on the big stage.

PK Drama: Bears Down Jones College to Advance

The Bears' path to the Final Four was sealed in perhaps the most nerve-wracking fashion — a penalty-kick shootoutagainst Jones College, which they won 5–4. According to the NJCAA's official championship results, Phoenix and Jones played to a draw in regular time, necessitating spot kicks to decide who advanced. (NJCAA)

Jones had advanced to face Phoenix by defeating St. Louis in pool play, but in that high-stakes rematch, Phoenix held their nerve. The shootout's 4-3 margin demonstrates that both sides converted most of their kicks, but the Bears ultimately prevailed, showcasing their mental toughness under pressure.

Next Up: Semifinals vs. Pima

With the victory over Jones, the Bears now book their place in the national semifinals. Their opponent will be Pima Community College, a familiar foe. The match is set for Thursday, Nov. 20 at 3:00 PM MST (which aligns with 4:00 PM Central). 

Pima has a rich history in NJCAA soccer and has proven to be a formidable opponent. The Bears have shown all tournament long that they're up to the challenge — they're arriving to this semifinal battle with confidence, momentum, and poise.

What This Means for Phoenix College

• Top Seeding Living Up to the Hype: The Bears entered the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed in the NJCAA Division II bracket. (pcbearsathletics.com)

• Balanced Performance: Their 3–0 win over St. Louis highlighted their defensive strength, while the PK shootout win over Jones showed they have the composure to succeed in high-pressure moments.

• Championship Aspirations: By reaching the Final Four, Phoenix College is just two wins away from hoisting the national title — a potential crowning achievement for a program that has been clicking on all cylinders this season.