Journal Staff Reports
ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY 2, LOS ALAMOS 0: Academy midfielder Evan Chang scored both goals for the second-seeded Chargers (18-3-1), who persevered through intermittent rain and snow to defeat the No. 6 Hilltoppers (14-9).
“(Playing for a championship) has been three years in the making,” Chang said. “We went to the quarters two years ago, the semis last year. Now it’s time. Time to shine in the finals.”
Chang said he just took advantage of his opportunities.
“The first one, I was just right there at the opportune moment, took a touch and slotted it to the right post. I was exhilarated with that one,” he said. “The second one, I got the ball and I thought I could shoot it or pass it and I just shot it. I can’t believe I made that.”
Academy coach Laney Kolek pointed out that the match was a trying one under difficult circumstances.
“They were composed with these conditions,” she said. “It was difficult trying to maintain some kind of rhythm. They did a great job of imposing their will on Los Alamos, making them cough up the ball in high places and being able to capitalize. Our subs went in and did an unbelievable job of closing this game out. And I can’t say enough about Evan Chang being in the right place at the right time and just being gritty in the final third, punching a couple in the back of the net.”
Wednesday’s win sets up a grudge match against St. Pius, one of the Chargers’ biggest rivals.
“There’s no better way to have a state final, as far as I’m concerned,” Kolek said. “We fell to them 2-0 and haven’t lost since that match. They built up who they are as a squad and I think this is going to have a completely different tone to it.”
Chang called the Sartans the best team in the state.
“It’s going to be really physical so we just need to play our top-notch game and connect all of our passes and really be on our feet for that one. It’s everything you could ask for,” he said.
—Glen Rosales
