Colts advance to state title match with 2-0 win

The Colts celebrate after a goal from Humberto Valdes during the first half of the Class A/3A semifinals Tuesday afternoon at Sun Mountain Field. (Photo by Peter Dindinger/NMMI Sports Press)
The Colts celebrate after a goal from Humberto Valdes during the first half of the Class A/3A semifinals Tuesday afternoon at Sun Mountain Field. (Photo by Peter Dindinger/NMMI Sports Press)
Posted: Nov 02, 2021

Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press

SANTA FE – It was a match for the ages.

After a scoreless first half filled with plenty of opportunities for each team to score and gain some momentum, the New Mexico Military Institute Colt soccer team broke the ice in the second half.

No. 3 NMMI was able to defeat the second-seeded Santa Fe Prep Blue Griffins 2-0 Tuesday afternoon at Sun Mountain Field during the Class A/3A semifinals.

This marks the first time that the Colts advance to the state championship game since 2019.

The Colts (15-4-1) take on No. 1 Sandia Prep at 3 p.m. Thursday in Albuquerque for the title. Sandia Prep notched a 1-0 win over Bosque in the other semifinal game.

“This game was back and forth. We started off in the first half with a lot more shots on goal, but the second half, especially after we got the goal, they were just coming and coming,” said NMMI head coach John Barbour.

Filled with suspense and big runs from each side, the first half featured plenty of shots on goals.

NMMI had a golden chance to take the lead early but the Santa Fe Prep defense was there to spoil the run.

The tables tuned when Humberto Valdes scored off a corner kick by Jose Donnadieu to give the Colts a 1-0 lead in the second half.

John Zimmerman later fired a shot that found the far right side of the net. The goal was the icing on the cake for NMMI with less than five minutes left in the contest.

“It was a great finish, great ball across. It’s just a knack for being in the right place,” Barbour said about the goal by Zimmerman.

From that point, the Colts played keep away and stifled the Blue Griffins’ offensive runs.

Santa Fe Prep (12-3-1) came close to cutting the deficit, but the shot hit the left post, barely missing the mark. During the first half, the Blue Griffins tallied a goal that was called back on an offsides call.

Things didn't go Prep’s way as the final whistle blew and the Colts were able to advance onward.

NMMI had 14 shots on goal.

Donnadieu and Padilla each finished with one assist.

“Soccer’s a funny game where sometimes luck isn’t on your side,” Barbour added. “Our defense played fantastic. They rose to the challenge.”

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