Academy’s Mariner has 151 career goals
Senior broke state record with seven goals Tuesday
What Eliza Mariner most remembers about her first goal was the jarring aftermath.
“I scored the first goal, a little ol’ freshman, and everyone rushed out,” she said. “I felt the impact of bodies. Everyone hit me at once.”
That goal, three-plus years ago against West Mesa, kickstarted a stellar career that is nearing an end.
Earlier this week, the Albuquerque Academy senior forward set a state record for career goals in New Mexico’s second-largest classification (currently Class 4A, formerly Class 5A).
A seven-goal outing Tuesday against Bernalillo put her at 146 goals, breaking the mark set by former private school rival Tatiana Limon of St. Pius just two years ago (144).
Mariner on Thursday extended that record to 151 after five more tallies against Valley in a 12-0 victory.
“It means so
much to me,” she said. “It means everything I’ve worked for has been paying off. It’s really nice to see physical evidence of my work.”
The overall state record is believed to belong to Socorro’s Dezirae Armijo, who scored 231 goals in five seasons from 2008-2012.
The Cornell-bound Mariner has 58 goals (most for any year in her class and the highest class) for two-time defending state champion Academy this season. She had 34 goals last season, 32 as a sophomore and 27 as a ninth-grader.
MaxPreps.com lists Mariner as the secondleading goal scorer in the country this season. Madison Luttrell of Covington (Tenn.) High had 67 goals as of Thursday afternoon.
But as yet, soccer in New Mexico does not have a website that has a ready-made list of scoring leaders — for a game, for a season or for a career.
Former La Cueva boys soccer coach Larry Waters, who operates nmsoccer.com, the most expansive site related to prep soccer in New Mexico, said he is in the process of compiling lists for goals and points.
For soccer, New Mexico had only one classification from 1981 through 1997. There were two classes in 1998 and 1999 before the state went to three classes starting in 2000.
Mariner said her most memorable goal was the OT game-winner in the mud and rain in the 2016 state title game against St. Pius.
“It’s crazy,” Mariner said as she reflected on her career. “I never thought I’d make varsity as a freshman. But I didn’t know what doors it would open for me. I didn’t know how much I’d fall in love with it.”
Academy will begin its quest for a third straight title next month. The playoff brackets will be announced Sunday.