Kudos to the St. Michael’s girls for getting as far as the 3A state championship, but for the third time they took a 1-0 setback top-seed, district rival Albuquerque Sandia Prep

By Arnie Leshin 

Nothing like shedding some tears and giving some hugs, otherwise the St. Michael’s girl’s soccer team had no reason to hang their heads.

It had been a marvelous season for a program that was introduced to new head coach Anthony Cassaro in June. He was also new to the area and no team members had ever met him before.

With not an assistant coach on the sideline throughout the season, Cassaro and the girls played in the strongest district in 3A, playing against the likes of top-seeded Albuquerque Sandia Prep, Albuquerque Bosque School and Santa Fe Prep. All had won state championships, as well as the Lady Horsemen winning four under Ed Veile.

They lost twice to the Griffins, 1-0 and 3-2 in overtime, took of two of three from Bosque, and versus Sandia Prep, well all you needed was a one and a zero, for in their matches those were the results, all 1-0 and one that went to overtime.

So there they were, in the championship against the Sundevils.

In the semis, they stunned 2nd seed Socorro on goals from sophomore Olivia Farrar and junior Daisy Smith. In the quarters they disposed of Bosque.

Meanwhile Santa Fe Prep was already back home after falling to Soccoro in the semifinals.

In the final, 6th seeded St. Michael’s was hoping to finally score on Sandia Prep, which was seeking its ninth state championship. It was scoreless at halftime, and with the Sundevil defense matching up with Lady Horsemen’s strong play, it took a goal from Sandia Prep 8th grader Kiran Hill, who took advantage of a St. Michael’s turnover at midfield.

Hill had gone 0-8 on goal attempts before this, but now she picked up the turnover at the 50-minute mark at the middle of the field and headed to the goal. Then she let go with a shot to the right lower corner and it sped past freshman goalkeeper Milena Keene.

Her first goal of the season was all Sandia Prep (17-4-2) would need in what was a tight defensive clash. Once again it scored the only goal and shut down the Lady Horsemen (16-7-1).

Before reaching the finals, St. Michael’s had won seven of its last eight matches, but now it was Sandia Prep standing firm on defense and Cassaro’s team was either forced innto bad shots and found it tough to attack the goal.

Smith’s 40-yarder was in the direction of the goalbut goalie Samantha Jeffries was able to grab it.

Said Cassaro: “We’ve got a young team and they are still learning. But they played well enough to get this far, and were a pleasure to coach.”

Over the last 10 minutes, the defense held its ground even though the Sundevils dominated the offense but were kept from scoring again.

Sandia Prep first-year head coach Matt Westerund said he knew this would a tough final.

“We played Albuquerque Academy. We played St. Pius and we played Hope Christian, but St. Michael’s was the strongest team we played all year,” he said, “and I’m serious.”

Again, there’s absolutely no reason for the Lady Horsemen to hang their heads. A march to the final should indeed be applauded.