This past Saturday, the Academy boys varsity soccer team hosted Albuquerque High during Homecoming.

Last year, AHS won the 6A state championship, but lost twice to Albuquerque Academy. It was no secret that they would come in wanting a measure of revenge, especially considering that one of the losses had been during the AHS Homecoming Weekend.

Albuquerque High did not disappoint. They started with energy and ideas, connecting passes and finding ways into the attack. The Academy players were not able to respond with the same energy and organization. Nine minutes in, AHS passed quickly through the midfield and found a player with space in front of goal for a simple finish. Halfway through the first period and the Academy still hadn’t found its footing. An AHS corner kick found an unmarked and unchallenged man at the back post for another goal. It was a shockingly poor start and the Academy players looked angry and upset. Hardy Stone ’18 noticeably upped his work rate while Alex Touche ’17 started to read the play in the midfield and cut off numerous passes to spark the attack. With five minutes left in the half, Ryan Sabol ’19 sent a dangerous corner into the box and Hardy headed it home.

Albuquerque Academy was down 2-1, but they had seized the momentum and, in a season where the team had often struggled in the first half, they had confidence that they could once again right the ship. The second half started with continued improvement from the Academy and twelve minutes in, Alex flicked a header to Charles Touche ’17 who somehow went through two defenders and the goalie to even the score.

Instead of the usual script of the Academy exerting ever more control over the game, AHS renewed their efforts and, after a quick restart off a foul deep in the Academy’s defense third of the field, drew a penalty kick after a tackle in the box. Goal. Albuquerque Academy was down 3-2. The next ten minutes saw furious action with some fine saves from the AHS keeper. With ten minutes left in the game, the wheels came off, AHS found its way forward and in quick succession scored two goals. The final: Albuquerque High 5-2 Albuquerque Academy.

For a team that had allowed six goals in the previous nine games, this was a surprising result and one that will send them back to the drawing board to find some solutions. They won’t have much time as Tuesday at 4:00, they host a very strong Rio Rancho team.

The Academy now holds a 7-2-1 record.