Chargers batter Hilltoppers’ morale late
Albuquerque Academy answers strong first half by Los Alamos with two quick second-half goals
BERNALILLO — For a half, the Los Alamos boys soccer team was seeing visions of a Class 5A state championship appearance.
Then, cold reality set in, and the state’s No. 1 team, Albuquerque Academy, put its foot on the accelerator for a 3-1 victory over the Hilltoppers Friday at the Bernalillo Soccer Complex.
“I think that just came down to momentum,” Los Alamos senior Tristan Semelsberger said. “We finished the first half with all the momentum, and we didn’t come out as strong as we needed to in the second half. Once they scored two, we just put our heads down. It’s unfortunate, but I think we left it all out on the field.”
Their was no denying the effort put forth by a scrappy Los Alamos squad against a bigger and arguably more talented Chargers team. Euphoria reigned when junior forward Arthur Steinkamp lofted a shot from outside the box near the right sideline over Academy goalkeeper Lucas Schlenzig in the 23rd minute to give the Hilltoppers a 1-0 lead.
“It was beautiful,” Los Alamos head coach Ron Blue said. “I could argue Arthur could have been the best player on the field. … He’s such a talent. He works so hard and he’s under so much pressure. We don’t match up athletically with them all over the field — we have a few — but Arthur is definitely one that can. What a beautiful goal under pressure.
“Arthur’s been like that all season. He’s scored big goals for us and we’ve needed him.”
Semelsberger echoed his coach’s compliments.
“I was exhilarated. I couldn’t believe he scored one of those,” he said. “I mean, he’s been doing it all season, but that was crucial. It was a shame that we couldn’t make use of it today.”
Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers relied on a tenacious and physical approach to keep Academy from finding the net in the opening stanza, crowding the box and denying numerous opportunities from close range. It was a physical and chippy affair in the first half, and Los Alamos was holding its own against its favored opponent.
“They’re physical. I was very proud of the fact that we handled it,” Blue said. “That we were able to take their hits and take their physical play and dish it back. … We were prepared for it. They’re athletic all over the field, and they’re well coached. They play hard and they come at you. I was proud of our boys for sure.”
Academy never panicked, however. And as fouls against Los Alamos mounted down the stretch, the Chargers converted critical set pieces again and again in the second half. Lucas Jepsen hammered home the final two nails in the coffin, scoring after a Hardy Stone corner kick in the 58th minute and then heading home a Nick Williams free kick in the 69th to provide the final margin.
“It was just being patient,” Academy head coach Laney Kolek said. “Not panicking when we were down one goal and just plugging away, finding the back of the net and capitalizing on your opportunities.”
Meanwhile, Blue thought the officiating played a major role in turning the tide of the game.
“I think that was as poorly officiated a game as I’ve ever been a part of, and it benefited them,” Blue said. “They had 20 free kicks to our four. That was an embarrassment. That’s a good enough team and they’re great on free kicks. I was so proud of our boys, and we handled ourselves. And we defended as well as we did, but the situation constantly giving them free kick after free kick. … It was disappointing.
“That’s a good team. They’re outstanding. They deserve it. It was a shame that it was given to them. I don’t think they scored a single goal that wasn’t a free kick. It was a joke. To me it was disappointing.”