Developing young players key as girls soccer season kicks off

Belen, Los Lunas and Valencia girls soccer teams all have at least one thing in common — each could use more players to round out the varsity roster and, perhaps, field a junior varsity team as well.

Versatility and flexibility will be a key for success as the season gets underway.

Belen

A gaudy 6-2 record in District 5-4A wasn’t enough to propel the Belen girls’ soccer team into the 4A state playoffs last season. Blame a 3-8 mark in non-district play.

Despite the postseason let down, the Eagles played an exciting brand of soccer.

“We won some exciting games, some close games,” said Ernest Gonzales, BHS coach, who feels the team can build on that experience.

Belen certainly found the net often. Addison Carter, just an eighth-grader, scored 32 goals, the second most in 4A. Most of those goals were set up by her sister, Avery, who led the Eagles with 16 assists.

“We have a lot of returning players, especially on the offensive side,” said Avery, junior midfielder. “I would say that’s definitely our stronger point.”

Sara Martinez, who contributed six goals in 2023, believes team-chemistry will be a benefit.

“We’ve been playing together for a while, so I feel we’re going to have a good connection on the field,” said Martinez, senior, center midfielder.

Jordan Ammons and Danilyn Bob return to round out a talented midfield.

On the other end of the field, Gonzales anticipates an improved defense that struggled at times last season. Jaelyn Bob returns in goal, backed up by Kendra Simms, who transferred from Albuquerque and can play a position on the field.

With more success early in the schedule, Gonzales believes the Eagles “can make state this year. That’s the goal.”

BHS kicked off the campaign Tuesday with a dominating 9-4 win at Rio Grande.

Valencia

Two goals per game is what the Valencia girls’ soccer team averaged last season, and to maintain that number, or perhaps increase it, coach Kimberly Chavez looks to move some pieces around.

“I’m going to try key players in different positions,” said Chavez. “I’m kind of excited about that. Maybe that will make a difference in the outcome of some games.”

Lilly Salazar, senior, was a part-time goalkeeper last season, who is also the Jaguars top returning scorer off a team that went 7-10. Chavez could give Salazar more playing time upfront.

“Switching that up will help our team offensively,” said Chavez.

VHS has a thin roster, with not enough players for a junior varsity team. However, six seniors should help develop a team that includes an eighth-grader and a freshman.

“They are very promising,” is how Salazar describes them, adding, “I think we can definitely get to state this year.”

Anchoring the defense are Isabella Chambers and Anna Hawkins, two seniors who play center back next to each other.

“It will be kind of an adjustment to get used to two new players on the side,” Chambers acknowledged. “If we communicate and make sure we understand what’s going on, I think we’ll be good.”

The schedule should be more forgiving this season, with fewer 5A games leading into District 5A with St. Pius, Belen, Grants and Highland.

“We won’t be pounded on like we were in previous years,” Chavez believes. “It’s good to play those stronger teams but it also takes a toll.”

The season gets underway against Alamogordo at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at VHS.

Los Lunas

The way the 2023 season ended was something of a one, two punch to the gut for the Los Lunas Tigers girls’ soccer team.

LLHS not only lost in the 5A state tournament in double overtime to District 5-5A rival Albuquerque High, but it was also the last game for a group of talented seniors that included leading scorer Mia Carbajal-Hartog, keeper Haylee Driscoll and Charisma DeHerrera.

Still, there is no panic from third year Los Lunas coach Jorge Torango.

“We have a lot of young talent that can cover those positions so we’re really confident with how that’s looking,” Torango said.

Some of that talent includes freshmen and eighth-graders, Torango explained.

It also helps to have a pair of all-state performers returning in midfielder McKaylee Burt, junior, and Adelina Villanueva, senior center back. Each made the 5A All-State second team.

Villanueva says patience will be a must.

“Our biggest weakness is a lack of experience,” according to Villanueva, “but our strength is their eagerness to learn.”

It won’t be easy for Los Lunas to match last years’ 14-6 record. However, if the youth develops and Burt can control the midfield, as she did last season with 16 goals, 13 assists and 66 steals, the Tigers will be pesky.

“This year it’s just making sure the forwards know what they’re doing so that we can continue the rhythm,” Burt said.

Offensively, Tarango says, “It’s going to be spread out. We’re not going to rely on that one person.”

Eleah Sangre has experience as a striker, while Angelica Romero saw some time at keeper last season.

LLHS opens the season Aug. 23 against Grants in the Tiger Shootout in Aztec.