Highland tops Atrisco on PKs

It was a pair of sophomores who helped the Highland High School boys soccer team advance to the Class 6A state quarterfinals.

Kevin Nuñez’s goal kept the Hornets alive in penalty kicks, and in the next round, another 10th grader, Marcos Otero, put home the game-winner as No. 8 seed Highland (12-6-1) beat No. 9 Atrisco Heritage 2-1 on Friday night on the Hornets’ field.

Next for Highland is a quarterfinal matchup Thursday afternoon with No. 1 seed and district rival Albuquerque High.

“Just getting through was unbelievably emotional,” Highland coach Scott Simpson said.

Atrisco Heritage (8-9-2), which went first in the shootout, was already up by a goal when the fifth round started. Another goal would have eliminated Highland. But the Jaguars shooter banged the shot off the post.

Then Nuñez extended the game with Highland’s fifth-round PK.

The Hornets’ goalkeeper, Marco Gaytan, saved a shot in the sixth round, paving the way for Otero to put home the shot that extended Highland’s season.

Luis Negrete opened the scoring with a 30-yard free kick goal in the first half for Highland. Atrisco Heritage scored on a PK midway through the second half after Highland was whistled for a hand ball.

The Hornets lost both district games this year to AHS, 2-1 and 3-0.

“We know that we can compete with Albuquerque High,” said Simpson. “Obviously, we’re an underdog, but … there’s really no pressure on us.” GADSDEN 2, VOLCANO VISTA 1: At Volcano Vista, the seventh-seeded Hawks were upset by the 10th-seeded Panthers. Gadsden next faces No. 2 La Cueva on Thursday.

Class 5A

VALENCIA 1, CAPITAL 0: In Santa Fe, Marcos Ramirez’s goal in the 75th minute lifted No. 9 seed Valencia, and the Jaguars next face No. 1 seed Albuquerque Academy.

Class 1A-4A

HATCH VALLEY 2, BERNALILLO 1: In Hatch, the No. 6-seeded host team managed only three shots, but made the most of them and advanced to the quarterfinals.

Emiliano Leal scored for Bernalillo off of corner-kick action in the 78th minute, but Hatch Valley (10-6-3) held off the Spartans (11-9-1) the rest of the way.

BOSQUE SCHOOL 1, SOCORRO 0: In Socorro, Chase Cates scored on an assist from Evan Pino in the 25th minute, and No. 10 seed Bosque (7-11-3) made that hold up for the win and a berth in next week’s quarterfinals against district rival Sandia Prep. Socorro finished 10-9-1.