The Journal’s newest batch of All-Metro soccer stars are, as is the case yearly, wealthy — even overflowing — with expertise.
One might argue that in no different native prep sport is there such particular person depth from high to backside — from the biggest class to the smallest class — as there’s in soccer.
A have a look at this yr’s group (volleyball and soccer All-Metro groups will seem within the Journal subsequent week):
GIRLS: For maybe the primary time, it was a non-Class 5A college that leads the best way with essentially the most general choices on our All-Metro record.
Hope Christian, an undefeated state champion in Class 4A, has 5 gamers out of the 22 that have been chosen, and 4 of the 5 are juniors. The quintet is led by the dynamic tandem of junior ahead Savanah Sanchez and senior midfielder Ashlyn Salas.
These two mixed for a ridiculous 106 objectives, 59 of them from Sanchez, one other 47 from Salas because the Huskies have been clearly New Mexico’s finest women crew. Their 23-0 report included a win over 5A state champion Eldorado, if there was any doubt.
Talking of the Eagles, they’ve obtained three first-team representatives in senior ahead Ava Forrester, Eldorado’s most versatile participant and a district participant of the yr, plus sophomore goalkeeper Caitlin Sanchez and senior back-liner Riley Espinoza.
Albuquerque Academy ahead Anna Babinski is the third of the first-team forwards; she had an excellent senior season, with 41 objectives.
The primary-team midfield is populated with prolific playmakers: Salas, plus Sandia’s Jordan Candelaria, Maddie Hashagen from 3A state champ Sandia Prep, and Cibola’s Ava Carpentier.
BOYS: Up high there are three potent gamers in Sandia senior Connor Cousins (30 objectives), St. Pius senior Leo Vaughn and Sandia Prep senior Finn Saunders.
Vaughn broke the Sartans college report in objectives (38) and factors (85), which is saying loads when you think about St. Pius’ magnificent historical past. Saunders led the Sundevils to one more Class 3A state title, and completed with 44 objectives.
Midfield, as ordinary, introduced a problem in that there are extra high quality mids than there are slots out there.
The 4 first-team decisions this yr are an excellent group: Keegan Monnheimer from Volcano Vista, the No. 1 seed for the playoffs, plus La Cueva’s playmaking Mason Barone, Albuquerque Excessive’s Foster Salvador, and Highland’s Yahir Jimenez, along with his 29 objectives and 18 assists main the Hornets into the 4A state semifinals for the second yr in a row.
The defenders on the primary crew are John Mee of La Cueva, one of many area’s high stoppers. He’s joined there by Kaiden Giron of Hope Christian — who on Saturday performed within the Excessive Faculty All-American Sport in Florida — and the one consultant from 5A state champion Cleveland, junior Noah Roles.
There have been a number of excellent goalkeepers within the metro space; our first-team selection is Eldorado senior Trey Smith.
