This Saturday, the boys started play in the newly formed District 2. Three of the top four teams in 5A are in this district.

There has been a rivalry brewing between Albuquerque Academy and Capital High. For several years in a row, one knocked the other out of the state tournament (most notably in 2014 when Capital beat the Academy in the State Championship game). So, as the Academy players boarded the bus early on the morning of fall break, they carried an air of determination. This game would send important messages to other teams in the district and, indeed, through all of 5A. The Academy was coming off of two weeks of hard practices with extra running, a guest coach in varsity girls leader Peter Glidden, a grueling fitness day from personal trainer Jessica Gentry, and film analysis.

The results showed from the first whistle. The Academy had a dangerous cross unanswered at the back post within the first minute. It was an opportunity lost, but a message had been sent. Players linked passes through the defense and midfield, right into the attack with one touch combinations and quick changes of field. Alex Touche ’17 saw two shots parried by the keeper and Charles Touche ’17 was unable to finish after an epic half field sprint to get on the end of a booming clearance. Twenty-five minutes in, the Academy worked the ball down the left wing, Mateo Centenera ’20 made a slashing run through the defense and received a beautiful ball. He threaded the ball to Charles who calmly finished into the back of the net. Although they created a number of other scoring opportunities, the team couldn’t finish and the half ended 1-0.

The second half was more of the same as Capital passed the ball backwards at the opening whistle and then couldn’t clear the ball under the relentless pressure. The Academy was determined to challenge possession all over the field and snuff out attacks early. Capital is a quality side, with great skill on the ball and a never-say-die character, but their players began to get frustrated when the Academy would step into passing lanes and then pass around defenders with quick, sharp ideas. Twelve minutes into the second half. Owen Keleher ’18 sent a corner kick swirling in front of goal. Alex laced a header towards the side netting only to have a Capital defender head it off the line. Charles read the play and headed the ball home. From there, the Academy controlled the game, only failing to truly put it away by several remarkable saves from the Capital keeper.

The game ended 2-0 with the Academy outshooting Capital 18-4 in their most impressive 80 minutes of the season.

Albuquerque Academy is now 10-2-1 and ranked #1 in the state overall according to MaxPreps. They play at Los Alamos on Tuesday.