This morning, the boys soccer team faced Los Alamos for the fourth time this season in the semi-finals of the state tournament.

In a repeat of yesterday, there was wind and rain making the playing conditions difficult. The Academy wanted to have the wind at their back to start and hopefully put Los Alamos down early. The plan worked to perfection when, in the 8^th minute, Jazz Henry ’19 dribbled past a number of players from his spot in the right of the defense. He played a beautiful ball on the ground to Owen Keleher ’18 who touched it past the defense for Charles Touche ’17 to finish.

The Academy kept up the pressure and had a number of chances more, including a scramble in front of the net where two or three shots from point blank were blocked. Those missed opportunities were magnified in the twenty-third minute when Los Alamos had a counter attack after defending a corner kick. Jazz was tracking the long ball back to the keeper when his feet got tangled with a Los Alamos attacker. Jazz tumbled to the ground and Los Alamos had evened the score on a curious no-call. The half ended 1-1.

At halftime the Academy boys had to take stock. With 40 minutes into the wind and a goal needed, the task before them was formidable. The Academy side that took the field for the second half answered the bell with one of their best performances of the season, attacking often from the whistle. Los Alamos looked for the counter attacks and almost had a goal but Ryan O’Malia ’17 had two point blank saves to somehow stymie the opportunity. Eighteen minutes in, Lucas Jepsen ’19 ranged up along the right flank and was fouled. Nick Williams ’18 drove a difficult ball into the wind, Charles flicked it with his head into the back of the net.

Los Alamos seemed to run out of steam and, similar to the quarter final match, the Academy reserves were subbed in and upped the game. Just a minute later, Ryan Sabol ’19 also found space up the right flank but his shot was saved at the near post. Mateo Centenera ‘20 was ready for the rebound and tapped it home. A few minutes after that Charles received a pass and Hardy Stone ’18 ran forward for a pass that opened up the defense. Hardy finished with a crafty side footed shot into the side netting. All players saw the field in the 4-1 win.

The Albuquerque Academy boys team will face St. Pius X in the finals at Bernalillo at 1:00 on Saturday.