AA  3      Valley  1

On Wednesday night as dusk settled into a perfect, windless, cool evening for soccer, the boys varsity took on Valley in the semi-finals of the Metro Tournament.

Valley has a new coach who has them playing a highly technical game. The Academy had spent the last two days trying to figure out how to connect passes better and change play in thirds of the field. The two sides came together for an excellent, competitive match.

As the first half began, the Academy team displayed a much better sense of cohesion than in the first games of the season, earning a good shot within the first three minutes. The Academy could move the ball on Valley, but the reverse was also true. Valley’s short, intricate passing gave the midfield fits and frequently yielded an attack against the Academy back line. After a foul about thirty yards out, Nick Williams ’18 stepped up to send in a cross. His resulting dangerous ball soared close to goal. The keeper jumped for the ball along with several players from both teams. The ball slipped through his hands and into net. Goal. Play continued at a high level, but with Academy repeatedly knocking. With less than four minutes left Tai Durell ’19 dropped deep, winning the ball in the Academy penalty box and started an impressive build up forward that culminated with a shot at the back post from Lucas Jepsen ’19—who had sprinted the entire length of the field—and a rebound off the keeper that was slotted home by Mateo Centenera ’20.

At halftime, the Academy were reminded that Valley would come out hard and the first ten minutes would tell a great deal about the game. Valley did come out organized and strong, scoring in the first three minutes. The rest of the game was a very even, high quality match. The teams swung back and forth, each earning good opportunities. As the game went on, Lucas and Trevor Dean ’20 made more dangerous runs with the ball, cutting in from the wing towards goal. At one point Trevor was fouled. Nick sent another deep ball in that was directed on goal and saved twice by the keeper before Trevor headed it over the scrum of players into the back of the net.

The game ended with the Academy winning 3-1.

In a rematch of 2015, Albuquerque Academy will face nationally ranked and undefeated La Cueva in the Championship Match. The Academy is trying to be the first 5A team to ever win the Metro Cup.

The game is Friday night at 7:15 at the APS Complex (behind Tony Hillerman Middle School).