Championship Preview: Soccer

Editor’s Note: In this series, the Observer will take a look at each of the upcoming NMAA State Championship Tournaments and give readers all of the information they will need to tune in and be informed in advance. From basic information like where to stream the games or buy tickets, to the fun stuff like who to watch for and how the Rio squads might fair, we have you covered.

2024 NMAA State Soccer ChampionshipsDates:

1st Round – Oct. 29

Quarterfinals – Nov. 2

Semifinals — Nov. 6

Finals – Nov. 9

Seeds:

RRHS Boys – 3 seed

CHS Boys – 12 seed

CHS Girls – 7 seed

Time: 1st Round:

Boys RRHS – bye

Boys CHS — @ Rio Grande, 3:30 p.m.

Girls CHS — vs Abq. High, 5 p.m.

Location:

1st Round (4A & 5A), Quarterfinals, & Semifinals – Host School (higher seed)

Finals – University of New Mexico Soccer Complex

Tickets: Ticket sales will be determined by the host school for the 1st Round, Quarterfinals, & Semifinals. Tickets can be purchased online only via GoFan (NO CASH SALES). https://gofan.co/app/school/NMAA

Cost: Adults $12, Students/Seniors/Military $7

Streaming: www.nfhsnetwork.com

Website (results): www.nmact.org

Additional info: The NMAA’s state championship souvenir vendor Northwest Designs Ink will be on site, but merchandise is also available online at https://nwd.ink/. A concession stand will be available.

Outlook: “This district is always a dog fight.”

That’s what Rams boys soccer head coach John Shepard said at the beginning of district play, and he wasn’t wrong.

Though the Rams (16-3-1, 8-1-1 in 5A-1) have risen to the top of the district, it wasn’t easy. They came out of the gate this season 2-2 in their first four games.

But the team quickly learned to gel behind dominant strikers Aaron Meserve and Bryson Strohecker. Meserve alone had 19 goals and 12 assists this season. That wasn’t quite enough for the assist record, however.

The assist leader for the Rams this year was none-other-than Aaron’s twin brother Sean, who had 24 assists on the year.

RRHS dropped the final game of the season, but the recent loss aside, considering the trial by fire they went through this season--taking on Volcano Vista, Atrisco Heritage, and Cleveland--an argument could be made the Rams are actually under-seeded at #3.

It’s worth noting that the final match of the season, the one the Rams lost, was after the squad had all-but-clinched the district title (which they eventually did, topping Volcano Vista on the goal-differential tiebreaker.)

It’s also worth noting that the loss came at the hands (or feet) of their hometown rivals, the Cleveland Storm, who took down the district juggernaut on Oct. 25 by a score of 4-2.

Speaking of the Cleveland Storm, they fought tooth-and-nail all season long and earned their spot in the tournament with that final win over Rio Rancho. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have a tough road ahead.

Now the Storm (11-7-2, 6-31 in 5A-1) will face another “Rio”; this time it’s the Rio Grande Ravens, who’s only lost one game since Sept. 5. Even more daunting for the Storm, the Ravens have the top points-getter in the state in Leonel Bencomo Zarate (80 points on 36 goals).

The Storm have the size to stay with Rio Grande, despite their young core of Craig Armijo and Erick Andrade (both sophomores).

If the Storm can pull off the classic 12/5 upset, they’ll face Eldorado, who finished second in their district behind second-ranked La Cueva.

On the girls side, the Storm (13-7, 8-2 in 5A-1) fought back from a rough start (they lost five of six games in September), but a late season rally got them a solid seed in the tournament. “Rally” may be an understatement. CHS won their last six games and eight of their last nine.

Senior Midfielder Taylor Williamson and senior striker Arissa C’deBaca will look to lead their team to a second state title. They have a not-so-secret weapon with them, as well. Arissa’s little sister, sophomore Aliyah C’deBaca was the team’s scoring leader this season, with 11 goals.