Sandia Wins Boys Class 5A State Championship for First Time Since 1992

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It was a state tournament that showed seeding don’t matter come playoff time and the Sandia Matadors boys soccer team was the prime example of that capturing the Class 5A state championship defeating Capital, 5-1.

The Matadors came into the tournament as the 9-seed. They began their run upsetting 8-seeded Albuquerque High. Then in the quarterfinals round, they shocked the world when they defeated the defending state champs and the number one seed, La Cueva Bears.

In the semi-finals, the Matadors worked their magic again when they upset five-seeded Cleveland.

Then, in the state championship game, much to the theme of the entire postseason, they upset 7-seeded Capital to capture the state title for the first time since 1992.

Sandia finished the year with a 16-7-1 record.

The Matadors led from start to finish and were led by senior forward Teo Ojeda who scored a hat trick and even assisted on a goal. Jude Field and Emmanuel Dodge also scored goal for the Matadors.

Ojeda spoke on why this group of guys were the ones to make a deep playoff push and win the state title.

“This group of boys especially, you know, we all have fun and we all love each other”, said Ojeda.

Head Coach Ryan Sanchez won his first state title as a head coach and he said it’s been a long time coming for this program.

“One I get a number up there that the coaches can’t yell at me about anymore. Two the players get the recognition that they truly deserve. And then three, the school gets what they’ve been longing for. And Sandia boys soccer, its always up there. Very talented, but we can never get over the line. Now we finally got over. And it’s more to come”, said Sanchez.

The post Sandia Wins Boys Class 5A State Championship for First Time Since 1992 appeared first on KOB 4.