St. Michael's High School and Albuquerque Sandia Prep met Thursday afternoon in nondistrict girls soccer, with the visiting Lady Sundevils prevailing 7-0.

Big deal.

Actually, it is.

The Lady Horsemen and Lady Sundevils are the two most-successful programs in Class A-AAA in the past decade. Each reached the finals of the state tournament seven times. Both own three state championships.

St. Michael's and Sandia Prep decided the title four times, with the Lady Horsemen winning in 2009 and 2007 and the Lady Sundevils celebrating in 2006 and 2004.

Only three other schools in the class possess championship trophies since 2000 — Bosque School (2008), Santa Fe Preparatory (2005 and 2003), and Albuquerque Hope Christian (2000).

While the Lady Horsemen are reigning state champions, the Lady Sundevils hold the distinction of reaching six successive finals, beginning in 2004.

Did the past portend the present?

Sort of.

Sandia Prep (2-0) currently holds the top ranking in A-AAA, with the Lady Horsemen (3-4) sitting second.

"Sandia Prep has to be on a mission after losing the last three state championships," Ed Velie, St. Michael's head coach, said. "They should have been on a mission last year. This year, they will be.

"I can't believe Julia Thompson is going to want to leave without winning a state championship."

Thompson, the most dangerous strike in A-AAA if not statewide, tallied three goals after putting four in the net against Santa Fe High on Tuesday.

"She has a great shot, there's no getting around it," Velie said of Thompson, a senior.

Margaret Stebbins and Savannah Davidson also scored. All three were marked-girls.

"They were people we were trying to corral," Velie said.

Sandia Prep led 1-0 until late in the half when it doubled the advantage. The Lady Sundevils didn't change tactics after intermission. They didn't have to.

"We just allowed them to develop the same plays throughout the game and we didn't respond to them," Velie said. "They outplayed us on all aspects of the game."

It isn't the first time. Albuquerque Hope Christian pinned a 5-1 loss on the Lady Horsemen on Monday.

"I think we will improve more than they will," Velie said of the Lady Sundevils and Lady Huskies. "But Sandia Prep and Hope look dominant at this point. It will be difficult to be on their level.

"We have to find that fighting spirit we had last year. We don't feel like a force."


It's hard to score when the ball spends regulation and two overtimes ping-ponging just over the midfield line, as was the case in the nondistrict match at Jaguar field.

But with no defenders to navigate through, the Lady Dragons outscored the Lady Jaguars 3-1 on penalty kicks.

Kyle Miller, Jennifer Gutierrez and Blythe Maunders converted for Monte del Sol (2-1). Ianetta Kimbrell scored for the Lady Jaguars.

"Both defenses were just outstanding," Justin Najaka, Monte del Sol head coach, said. "Most of the match was played in the midfield."

Capital dominated possession in the opening 40 minutes, winning 90 percent of the 50-50 balls and the balls out of the air. Monte del Sol controlled the second half.

"We tried to play the ball on the ground more and we stretched the field out wide," Najaka said. "We also moved our sweeper to a striker position and had more success attacking in the second half."



Juan Monarrez's golden goal was put on hold for two overtimes at Ivan Head Stadium.

Monarrez untied a 1-1 knot with a 35-yard strike into the upper corner. His goal in the first overtime should have brought an abrupt end to the nondistrict match. Instead, the teams played both 10-minute overtimes.

The Demons weren't complaining.

"We held them without another goal, so it turned out OK," said A.J. Herrera, Santa Fe High head coach. "We were excited to get our first win."

Moriarty took a one-goal head start on a penalty kick. The Demons (1-3) caught the Pintos (0-2) in the 65th minute on Josue De Luna's goal.

"In the first half, we shot very poorly," Herrera said. "We had 12 shots, but only one on goal. In the second half, we had eight shots and five on goal."

So, does Herrera condone 35-yarders?

"I don't recommend my players take those shots often," Herrera said, "but I tell them to listen to what the game gives them.

"I had a great angle, right behind Juan. I saw it heading for the upper corner. The goalie got a hand on it, but it trickled in."

Burch Ault recorded three saves for the Demons.