On Friday evening, New Mexico Military climbed the top of the mountain once again as they secured their second consecutive NMMA Class 3A State Soccer Championship as they outlasted the No. 2 seed Santa Fe Prep 2-1. The Colts ended the year on a 13-game win streak and an overall record of 16-5.
Early in the first half the Colts applied the pressure and forced a couple of early saves by the Santa Fe Prep keeper. However, the game slowed down as the half progressed. Santa Fe Prep was able to flip the tables as they started to find their rhythm and forced a save by Rudolfo Anaya.
Eager to fight back, the Colts were able to use a few counter attack opportunities to force a few corners as the keeper pushed any opportunities wide. The Colts maintained possession and controlled most of the opening 30 minutes of the contest.
At the 33 minute mark, Santa Fe Prep ran down the left sideline and crossed a ball into the six yard box where Cyrus Hnasko was able to connect with the pass and find the back of the net to give Santa Fe Prep a 1-0 lead.
The defending champs were unfazed by the goal. It took less than 5 minutes for the equalizer as Daniel Dosmantes Urbina took the corner kick and found Javier Yepiz who took a header inside the box and drilled the ball over the keeper's reach to tie the game at 1-1 heading into halftime.
In the second half it was all Colts. NMMI was able to dictate the momentum as they controlled possession and kept the game in Santa Fe Prep's half. Although the Colts didn’t score early in the second half, they attacked the goal and caused problems for defense.
As the half progressed, the Colts found their rhythm and forced multiple saves which earned more set piece opportunities. As the half expired both teams battled to try and find the game winner. With less than 8 minutes on the clock, Nicholas Barcenas Barbieri scored the game winner with a well-placed header past the keepers outstretched arms.
The Colts repeated as Class 3A State Champions and made their third consecutive State Championship match. NMMI ends back-to-back seasons with a blue trophy and 13 consecutive wins while going undefeated in district play, a 16-0 record over the past two seasons.