Academy beats Los Alamos 3-0

On Saturday, the team faced a rematch of the state championship game. Los Alamos featured a young team last year and they are expected to be strong contenders again in the 5A division.

Now seven games into the season, the Academy is still figuring out the best positions for players and a preferred formation. As the players get accustomed to the different roles of each position, the hope is that they can offer more dynamic play while meeting the responsibilities of the position. From the first whistle, the growth of the players was evident. Tai Durel ’19 (right defender) and Lucas Jepsen ’19 (right wing) formed an impressive tandem, stepping remarkably quickly to shut down Los Alamos’ ideas and interchanging roles to attack. Twelves minutes in, their work rate and ideas paid off. Lucas pressed deep into the corner, passed back to Tai who lashed a cross towards the goal. Charles Touche ’17 shielded his man and touched the ball to Mateo Centenera ’20 at the back post, who calmly slotted the ball home.

For the rest of the half, the team played bright soccer with Alex Touche ’17 and Hardy Stone ’18 changing the field with passes through the middle and starting the attack from all angles. The Academy scored again in the 31^st minute when Charles drew defenders to him and distributed to Ryan Sabol ’19 to finish.

At half, the team was thrilled with their improved play and exhorted each other to continue the momentum. Los Alamos must have also been encouraged to dig down and find a better quality of play as they did a better job of disrupting play. The Academy still found ways to attack and were denied on numerous occasions by a strong save or a defender desperately throwing themselves at a shot. As time wound down, the team earned its seventh corner kick. Ryan sent a beautiful cross that Alex headed home. The game ended minutes later. Albuquerque Academy 3-Los Alamos 0.