HIGH SCHOOL STATE SOCCER TOURNAMENT
With the high school state soccer tournament kicking off this weekend, local schools have a number of teams harboring championship dreams.
Chief among them, of course, is top-seeded and undefeated Santa Fe Prep girls in Class A-4A, seeking their first state championship since 2003. The Blue Griffins have earned a bye for the first round, as has third-seeded Robertson boys in A-4A and the fourth-seeded Los Alamos boys in 5A.
Here’s a brief rundown of the five opening-round matches involving local teams set for this weekend. All games are tonight unless noted.
BOYS 5A: No. 8 Capital vs. No. 9 Valencia, 5 p.m.
In a battle of the Jaguars, the local variety went 12-7-1, with sophomore Eduardo Martinez and senior Sam Garcia igniting the offense with 17 goals between them and each averaging a goal per game played. Senior Alexis Rodriguez has been the playmaker, with seven assists in his six games played.
In net, sophomore Elmer Diaz has been a dynamo, putting together a standout 1.134 goalsagainst average.
Valencia (8-10-1) has stumbled to the finish, going 4-4 over that span, although it did record a strong 3-1 win over Los Lunas. The local Jags will need to keep an eye on senior Manny Ramirez, who has 11 goals and 19 assists as both playmaker and finisher.
A-4A: No. 5 Santa Fe Prep vs. No. 12 Tierra Encantada, 4 p.m.
It’s been a struggle from Day One for the defending champion Blue Devils (11-5-2) as graduation and injuries took their toll. Still, seniors Elliott Thornburg and Trevor Wilson have combined for 33 goals, and Harrison Miller has added another nine in an attack that can be prolific when everyone is healthy. Henry Barlian fueled the attack with 13 assists, while Wilson added 10 helpers of his own.
Santa Fe Prep has relied on a two-headed dragon in goal as senior Victor Rios has been stingy with a 0.889 goals-against average and junior Jack Mitchell not far behind at 1.219.
The Alacranes (6-6-0), in just their third season of varsity play, are something of a mystery squad, keeping their stats close to the vest. The team is making its first state tournament appearance.
GIRLS A-4A: No. 6 St. Michael’s vs. No. 11 Hatch Valley, 4 p.m.
If results against common opponents mean anything, the Horsemen (14-6-0) should gallop into the quarterfinals. The Bears (9-9) lost twice to fourthseeded Socorro by a combined 12-0 score in two matches, while St. Mike’s beat the Warriors by a 3-2 tally in the only meeting.
Of course, those results will go flying out the window this afternoon, but what is important is the Horsemen can score — and in bunches. Sophomore Daisy Smith has 20 goals, while senior Tiana Baca and freshman Olivia Farrer each have 16. Farrar and Claire Lee have each added 12 assists.
Hatch has lost five of its past six matches, with only a 2-1 win over a weak Silver squad to show for its end-of-the-season run-up to the tournament.
A-4A: No. 7 Taos vs. No. 10 Robertson, Saturday 3 p.m.
These are two teams well familiar with each other, but the Tigers (11-5-0) won the two headto-head matches against their district foe.
For anybody to beat Taos, the first order of business is shutting down senior forward Cora Cannady. The crosscountry star has a state-best 40 goals with 14 assists for 94 points on the season. She’s ably accompanied by fellow senior Isabel Padilla, who has 17 goals and 23 assists. It’s a dastardly duo enough to give any team fits.
For Robertson (9-11), youth is served as junior Gabrielle Montoya has 23 goals and 11 assists, and sophomore Maricela Montoya has 16 goals and 15 assists.
5A: No. 6 Los Alamos vs. No. 11 Grants, Saturday 11 a.m.
Two months ago, the Hilltoppers (14-5-1) first saw the Pirates (13-7) and Los Alamos wasted little time, winning 13-3 in an early season match. A lot more is online now, but the ’Toppers have had a full season to get used to new coach Ann Cernicek’s system. Los Alamos runs its offense through junior Alix Hailey, who has team bests 19 goals and 16 assists. Senior Elsa Gram has contributed 15 goals, and junior Alissia Haagenstad has 12 goals and nine assists. Sophomore Alyssa Parker also has been a major contributor, with nine goals and nine helpers. Grants had won seven in row after its loss to the Hilltoppers, but closed out the season at 3-5.