2016 GIRLS METRO-AREA SOCCER CAPSULES
ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY CHARGERS
Coach: Peter Glidden (1st year) Last season: 13-6-3; lost to St. Pius in 5A semifinals Key players: Skylar Carson, sr., D; Maren Bauer, sr., D; Alli Leggott, sr., MF; Annie Spahn, sr., MF; Eliza Mariner, soph., FW; Mikaela Montoya, jr., GK.
Outlook: The Chargers believe they can end the recent domination in this class by St. Pius. They’ve got a big senior class, a strong defense (led by Carson and Bauer), plus dependable mids in Leggott and Spahn. Montoya is returning between the posts, and Mariner led this team in scoring as a freshman. Glidden is a former player at the Academy as he takes over the program after moving back to Albuquerque from South Africa.
ALBUQUERQUE HIGH BULLDOGS
Coach: Natasha Lee (5th year) Last season: 16-3-1; lost to Eldorado in 6A semifinals Key players: Marisa Contreras, sr., D; Maya Gonzalez, sr., MF; Erika Chavez, sr., D; Raven Zellers, sr., D. Outlook: The Bulldogs return some tremendous talent, led by — but not limited to — Contreras. AHS remains the prohibitive favorite in District 4.
ATRISCO HERITAGE ACADEMY JAGUARS
Coach: Maggee Osta (3rd year) Last season: 4-13-1 Key players: Kay-Lynne Dutch overReynolds, jr ., GK; Lizbeth Arrerondo, sr., GK; Jocelyn Muñoz, sr., C-MF; Adrianna Maldonado, sr., D; Kayla Gatewood, jr., FW; Alexis Cordova, sr., MF.
Outlook: Both Cordova (from striker to attacking mid) and Muñoz (from wing to center mid) will have position changes, moves Osta hopes will solidify Atrisco’s middle and extract more shots on goal from both of them. The Jags hope they can challenge the .500 mark this season.
BELEN EAGLES
Coach: Crystal Cordova (3rd year)
Last season: 10-11-2; lost to Los Alamos in 5A first round
Key players: Inez Silva, sr., MF; Samantha Valdez, sr., MF/D; BrookLynn Carter, soph., FW; Abigayle Sanchez, jr., D; Grace Romero, 8th, GK.
Outlook: The Eagles should be one of the most experienced teams in the metro area as they return nine starters and 12 letterwinners. They are hoping to make it past the first weekend of the state playoffs.
BERNALILLO SPARTANS
Coach: Philippe Mballa-Zambo (1st year) Last season: 2-16-2 Key players: Mia Montaño, jr., GK; Kelsey Romero, sr., D; Gabriella Varela, fresh., FW; Avery Suina, jr., D; Abigail Rivas, fresh., MF.
Outlook: New coach Mballa-Zambo has his hands full as he tries to rebuild not just the varsity program but creating interest with younger girls. “It’s challenging,” he said, “but I’ve always been for the underdog.” He is very high on Montaño, a player he said has Division I talent, and said that Romero is an asset on the back line. It will take some time to create a cohesive side in Bernalillo, very likely.
BOSQUE SCHOOL BOBCATS
Coach: Jacob Cortez (3rd year) Last season: 14-6-2; lost to Sandia Prep in 1A-4A quarterfinals Key players: Genevieve Gray, jr., C-MF; Rhythm Badal, sr., C-MF; Bryanna Bravo, jr., MF; Grace Freed, soph., D; Nikki Taibbi, 8th, D; Hannah Pacheco, fresh., GK.
Outlook: The Bobcats have increased their win total in each of Cortez’s first three seasons, so hopes are high. Gray was a first-team All-State mention last season, with Badal on the second team. Cortez said he’d be “shocked” if Bosque weren’t in the mix late in the state tournament. Finding go-to scorers (likely from the midfield) is a crucial ingredient for the Bobcats’ well being.
CIBOLA COUGARS
Coach: Gary Zink (5th year) Last season: 17-5; Class 6A state champions
Key players: Lexi Baca, jr., FW/MF; Jasmine Marwan, sr., FW/MF; Emily Avila, jr., MF; Rebekah Carr, sr., GK; Bryana Garcia, jr., D; Megan Carmody, jr., MF.
Outlook: The Cougars return nearly their entire starting lineup as they look to repeat as state champions. They will have a new goalkeeper, and that girl, Carr, will have many eyes on her. Baca was the player of the year in 2015 as voted on by coaches, and a first-team All-State performer, as was Avila. Can Cibola handle the rigors of being the defending champ? That’s a crucial question, but this team looks like it should be there near the end.
CLEVELAND STORM
Coach: Greg Rusk (5th year) Last season: 10-8-2; lost to Hobbs in 6A first round
Key players: Ashton Forrest, sr., MF; JoJo Green, sr., D; Kailey Peña, jr., FW; Gabby Garcia, jr., GK; Abbi Rael, sr., FW; Bri Riggs, sr., FW.
Outlook: The Storm has quality and depth and is among the better 6A teams in New Mexico. One thing to notice, Rusk said, is how Cleveland plans to sacrifice a bit on the back line in order to produce more offense. To that end, Peña and Rael give the Storm quick outside players, with Riggs expected to be a goal scorer in front along with junior Corey Kizer, and Forrest and Gabby Gillert facilitating from the midfield. Cleveland has designs on a top-8 seed for the playoffs.
DEL NORTE KNIGHTS
Coach: Steve Nickerson (1st year) Last season: 5-13 Key players: Ashley Healy, sr., MF; Jazmine Herrera, jr., GK; Kristen Lopez, jr., MF; Ashton Reyes, fresh., FW.
Outlook: In his first year, Nickerson looks to rebuild an ailing program with a new scheme used in previous years. This will be a tough task, as this edition of the Knights will lack depth and experience with few players returning from 2015.
EAST MOUNTAIN TIMBERWOLVES
Coach: Matt Painter (1st year)
Last season: 15-6; lost to Kirtland Central in 1A-4A first round
Key players: Analise Salas, sr., MF; Hannah Linder, soph., MF; Mia Santistevan, jr., MF; Victoria Visante, sr., MF; Kayla Willis, sr., D.
Outlook: This edition of the Timberwolves will be young as new coach Painter plans on starting at least three freshmen. East Mountain made it through a mid-season coaching change in 2015, eventually making the playoffs, but is hoping for more continuity this time around.
ELDORADO EAGLES
Coach: Andrew Wiese (1st year) Last season: 16-4-1; lost in 6A championship game to Cibola Key players: Brianna Rudolph, sr., MF/FW; Brita Jumisko, sr., MF; Ashlea Castleberry, sr., D; Lindsey Hale, sr., D; Madison Hirschman, sr., FW; Sophia Roberts, soph., MF.
Outlook: The Eagles start fresh with Wiese, who has a strong resume both as a player and club coach. Eldorado is a team with plenty of seniors, but not necessarily a whole bunch of varsity experience. Defending well and possession offense will be crucial, Wiese said, and being able to attack in wide spaces. Rudolph was a second-team All-State player last season.
HIGHLAND HORNETS
Coach: Mike Thomas (2nd year) Last season: 2-15-1 Key players: Kristen Kifer, sr., D; Deb Goldenberg, sr., GK; Denisse Bustillos, sr., MF; Melissa Nava, sr., MF; Jessica Carrasco, sr., MF. Outlook: Obviously the Hornets are looking to improve on last year’s results. The team is hardworking and determined but is hampered by low numbers.
HOPE CHRISTIAN HUSKIES
Coach: Ron Espinoza (7th year) Last season: 20-3; Class 1A-4A state champions
Key players: Bella Starkweather, jr., MF; Shea Auge, sr., MF; Haylie Walters, sr., MF; Emi Mondragon, sr., D; Kelly Casaus, jr., D; Bianca Sikora, soph., FW.
Outlook: The Huskies return their entire center midfield, but Hope is just about starting over up top (finding goal scorers is an urgent need) and in net. This shapes up as a team — heavy on sophomores — that may be regrouping for another potential playoff run in 2017 or 2018.
LA CUEVA BEARS
Coach: Amber Ashcraft (21st year) Last season: 16-3-1; lost in 6A semifinals to Cibola
Key players: Delaney Markham, sr., D; Kate Browning, sr., D; Kat Robinson, jr., GK; Noir Hawash, sr., FW; Jayde Talbot, jr., FW; Senna Garcia, jr., MF.
Outlook: Ashcraft describes this as a new team, but well trained and quite talented. Talbot and Hawash will look to pick up the scoring slack after the graduation of Jordyn Lacy, and the Bears feel they are strong both in the midfield and on the defense. Robinson is a returning starter as well. La Cueva may end up battling Sandia for the District 2 championship before it’s said and done.
LOS LUNAS TIGERS
Coach: James Torres (10th year)
Last season: 12-9-1; lost to Farmington in 5A quarterfinals
Key players: Kira Ortiz, sr., MF/FW; Jaidyn Armijo, sr., FW/MF; Kylie Spangler, jr., D/FW; Dayanara Rivera, sr., D.
Outlook: The Tigers graduated four seniors but return a strong core, especially in the midfield. Spangler, who was the leading scorer in the district last season, is the spark in what could be a dynamic attack.
MANZANO MONARCHS
Coach: Todd Alam (2nd year) Last season: 6-10-2 Key players: Kylee Foster, sr., D; Adrianna Hernandez, jr., MF; Aubry Hershberger, jr., MF; Amber Montaño, sr., MF; Angelique Valencia, sr., FW; Aly Aragon, soph., FW.
Outlook: This year’s varsity is still a young team with only four returning seniors, but will be striving to improve. The Monarchs want to improve the speed of their attack.
MORIARTY PINTOS
Coach: Val Luker (6th year) Last season: 6-11
Key players: Ashley Strader, soph., MF; Chloe Rector, soph., FW; Sage Bond, jr., GK; Rhiannon Moya, sr., MF; Rachel Ghormley, jr., D.
Outlook: The Pintos were winless in a Class 5A district with the likes of St. Pius and Academy last year, but that should improve in their new Class 4A digs. Luker is optimistic, largely because her younger players have more of a soccer background than in recent history.
RIO GRANDE RAVENS
Coach: Carlos Mandujano (8th year) Last season: 2-14-2 Key players: Tania Ramirez, sr., D; Michelle Ojeda, sr., MF; Mia Moore, sr. D; Yurieseli Sanchez, sr., MF; Lindsey Farrow, sr., FW.
Outlook: Though the team didn’t lose many players, Mandujano says there’s still a challenge to form chemistry. If that happens, he believes this is a roster than can make big gains in its district and is good enough to really capitalize on mistakes made by opposing teams.
RIO RANCHO RAMS
Coach: Uwe Balzis (20th year)
Last season: 11-7-3; lost to Cibola in 6A quarterfinals
Key players: Leilani Baker, sr., FW/ MF; Brittney Harris, sr., MF; Cheyenne Orozco, sr., MF; Kayla Montoya, jr., D; Mychele Porter, sr., D/MF; Ashley Gabaldon, jr., D/MF.
Outlook: The Rams have an experienced team with seven starters returning — led by Baker, who was named to 6A’s All-State first team last fall, and second-teamer Orozco, who is starting her fifth season on the Rio Rancho varsity squad. Balzis consistently has one of New Mexico’s best programs, and the Rams expect to be back in the playoffs in November and hoping to make a push.
SANDIA MATADORS
Coach: David Disko (2nd year) Last season: 11-7-1; lost to Las Cruces in 6A first round Key players: Coach declined to name any.
Outlook: It’s a team-first philosophy that Disko wants to push, although it can be said that sophomore midfielder Hannah Gallegos is among New Mexico’s best players. She just returned from Germany, with Frankfurt FC, a team she played with after being selected based on performance at the local club level. The Matadors are deep, Disko said, and from the sound in his voice, he expects a deep postseason run in November.
SANDIA PREP SUNDEVILS
Coach: Gina Cormier (2nd year)
Last season: 14-7; lost to Hope Christian in 1A-4A semifinals
Key players: Madi Trainor, sr., FW; Calista Cordero, sr., MF; Madison Hochrein, jr., D; Alex Forrester, soph., MF; Skyler Gee, fresh., D; Soren Saunders, sr., MF.
Outlook: Up top, the Sundevils have two dynamic scorers in Trainor (39 goals last year) and Cordero (15 goals and 21 assists), so Sandia Prep ought to be dangerous up top. But Cormier said her defense is young, and the Sundevils will be starting a freshman in net. Still, Sandia Prep only graduated five players and brings back eight starters, so it should be in contention into early November.
ST. PIUS SARTANS
Coach: David Sullivan, Jr. (2nd year) Last season: 20-3; Class 5A state champions
Key players: Tatiana Limon, sr., FW; Dominique Giannini, sr., D; Miranda Hart, jr., FW; Victoria Sanchez, sr., D; Makayla Saenz, sr., MF; Carliegh Garcia, jr., MF.
Outlook: The New Mexico Statebound Limon finally reaches her senior season, and the school’s all-time leading goal scorer and point scorer should be in line for another huge year as the Sartans set out to defend their blue trophy. Overall program numbers are down, so St. Pius needs to stay healthy this year — against a grueling schedule, no less. But Sullivan thinks his top 15 are as good as “anyone in the state,” he said. This senior group is 66-7 over the last three years at the varsity level.
VALENCIA JAGUARS
Coach: Kimberly Chavez (8th year)
Last season: 14-6-2; lost to Albuquerque Academy in 5A quarterfinals
Key players: Paige Hunter, sr., GK; Savanna Lucero, sr., HB; Bryanna Rubio, sr., D; Jane Kirkpatrick, jr., F/ HB; Geneya Sanchez, sr., D.
Outlook: The Jaguars graduated four but have solid leadership to lead this in 2016. The biggest concern for VHS will be scoring, as the Jags will go without their top three scorers from last season.
VALLEY VIKINGS
Coach: Ron Worley (1st year) Last season: 11-7 Key players: Alondra Quezada, sr., FW; Marian Means, sr., GK; Hannah Stout, sr., MF/D; Gabby Montoya, fresh., MF; Alejandra Jurado, jr., MF.
Outlook: If Worley’s name looks familiar, it ought to; he used to coach the Viking boys. This team, he said, is a mixture of girls who are both new to the game and new to this program, so Worley, understandably, can’t quite put his finger on the pulse of this team just yet. Valley faces a tough schedule as it hopes to challenge Albuquerque High in District 4, so this rebuild may take a little while.
VOLCANO VISTA HAWKS
Coach: Samantha Lucero (9th year)
Last season: 13-6-1; lost to Eldorado in 6A quarterfinals
Key players: Brianna Martinez, jr., MF; Annie Kolich, sr., MF; Morghan Thomas, sr., D; Hope Sanchez, soph., D; Cierra Ramirez, soph., FW; Jackie (MF) and Lauren Valdez (D), srs.
Outlook: With 14 returning varsity players, led by Martinez, one of New Mexico’s elite players and part of the national soccer program, the Hawks want to get back into at least the state semis this year, a round they failed to reach last season for the first time. It’s a quick, very physical side, according to Lucero, although this team is new in goal. Kolich was a first-team All-Stater last season. Up top, Lucero likes her playmakers. It is possible Bosque transfer Dalis Bruce, a gifted goal scorer, could end up on this team, too.
WEST MESA MUSTANGS
Coach: Kristal Smith (1st year) Last season: 4-13-1 Key players: Syneca Pyszko, sr., GK/ FW; Esperanza Tena, jr., FW; Angelina Espinoza, jr., FW/MF; Amber Arrieta, sr., D; Joanna Vazquez, jr., MF; Annalyssa Gutierrez, jr., D.
Outlook: The Mustangs and new coach Smith do have a couple of versatile players in both Pyszko (who will be found both in net and up top, depending on the day) and Tena, who can play pretty much any position on the pitch except goalkeeper. Overall, it’s a very young team.