---

2023 NMAA SOCCER PLAYOFFS

NMAA Girls Soccer HQ Sports bracket breakdowns.

The playoff fields are set after the seeding and brackets were released on Sunday 10/29. There is a lot to look forward to in these playoffs. Lets get into it!

5A Girls

As expected, the Cleveland Storm (19-1, 8-0) locked in the number 1 seed and a first-round bye. They are the favorites to win it all and will host the winner of #8 Sandia vs #9 Mayfield. The Storm are well-rounded and have a roster full of key seniors as they hope to return to the championship and finish the job after falling to Eldorado in 2022. Ella Lent-Koop is an absolute presence in the midfield who can control games. Cleveland has numerous goal-scoring threats. Four players were in double digits for goals this season, including Ella, Arissa C’de Baca, Alexus Guillen, and Sienna Salazar. The Storm’s defense is stout as well.

There are some formidable teams that can make their way through the bracket though.

In the top half of the bracket, #8 Sandia is dangerous. Led by senior Ayla Dils, this squad can compete with the best of them and pull off an upset when the time comes. One of this years sophomore sensations, Harmony Rodriguez, has amazing on the ball skills and provides crucial goal scoring for the Matadors as well. They will have to worry about a solid Mayfield team in the first round.

#9 Mayfield (15-4, 8-2) comes in as a slight underdog against a tough Sandia team. The Trojan hopes of victory will rest heavily on their junior tandem of Avery Theiman and Taylor Rodgers. Theiman being the goal scorer and Rodgers leading the team in assists.

#4 seed and 2022 Champions, Eldorado (15-4, 8-2), will enjoy the last bye slot as they prepare to defend their state title. The Eagles have steadily improved all season and could easily find themselves back in the championship match. Junior goalkeeper, Caitlin Sanchez, and the defense will be key in keeping Eldorado in games. Senior, Sofia Gurule, has a nose for the goal when opportunities arise. They will await the winner of the #5 Santa Fe vs #12 Clovis match.

#5 Santa Fe (17-2-1, 9-1) will no doubt rely on the talent of their senior captain trio in Asha Smelser, Elsa Smith, and Lily Earnest to make a playoff run. Smelser and Smith both have 30+ goals this season. Earnest can score as well. All three can dish the ball for an assist as well.

#12 Clovis (13-5-1, 3-3), will be looking to upset Santa Fe. Senior goalkeeper, Aja Gonzales, will need to be clutch for the Wildcats as Smelser and Smith will take their fair share of shots for the Demons. Senior, Aspen Ulibarri, and junior, Ava Crain, are the threats for Clovis.

#3 is the undefeated Las Cruces Bulldawgs (20-0). They will enjoy a bye before playing the winner of #6 Volcano Vista vs #11 Hobbs. Another sophomore sensation in 2023, Raylene Carillo, who has 41 goals in the season will help lead the Bulldawgs in the playoffs. Junior Mia Barela who had 37 goals will also be key in Las Cruces’ title hopes.

#6 Volcano Vista is no slouch. The Hawks showcased their ability when they took down the then MaxPreps #11 ranked team in the nation, Strongsville (OH) 3-2 during the season. Freshman Kasey Sandoval provides the spark for Volcano Vista as she can create scoring opportunities for both herself and her teammates. Key defender and senior, Carissa Benavidez, leads the backline for the Hawks. Senior, Aleah Lucero, can find the back of the net and helps hold things down in the midfield. If Volcano Vista gets hot, don’t be shocked if the Hawks find themselves playing for a blue trophy.

#11 Hobbs (12-6-2, 8-0) has a tough draw first round. Hobbs’ leading scorers, Hannah Davila and Brianna Baker, will need to be on their A-game when they take on Volcano Vista.

#2 La Cueva (17-2-1, 9-1) has a bye first round. The winner of #7 Albuquerque vs #10 Los Lunas match will take them on in the quarterfinals. The Bears are another well rounded squad. Senior Tessa Updegraff can play wherever La Cueva needs her to based off the match up and team strategy. She provides important leadership on the field as the rest of the team will rally around her phenomenal play. Junior, Leah Barone, is a huge asset on the field with her ball control, passing, and finishing ability. Fellow junior, Makayla Chavez, is always a threat to score when she is in the game. While these three draw a lot of attention, La Cueva’s goals can come from anyone on the field. The Bear defense is as solid as any other in the state. La Cueva can play tight games and come out on top which makes them a championship threat.

#7 Albuquerque (14-5-1, 9-1) is a team that can sneak up and steal a win if you take them lightly. The Bulldogs have a unique ability to raise their level of play to match whatever opponent they face. This team has four players with double digit goals this season as well led by senior Mia Escobedo. The other three being, freshman Joslin Sells, senior Madeline Everett, and junior Elsie Miller. Albuquerque should not be taken lightly.

#10 Los Lunas (14-5, 6-4) will face off with Albuquerque for the third time this year. Most recent being the last game of the season where they fell, 2-0. Senior, Mia Carabajal-Hartog leads the team in goals. Junior, Mckaylee Burt, is the x-factor for the Tigers. She can score and dish the ball for assists. Senior, Charisma DeHerrera, is another scoring threat for Los Lunas. The Tigers will hope to finally come out on top in this third match that should be a fierce contest.

4A Girls

The girls 4A bracket has one big fish in the pond. The #1 seed, Hope Christian. The Huskies will be looking to three-peat in what could be their fourth straight championship appearance. Seniors Savannah Sanchez and Zylee Dominguez lead the Huskies in goals and assists accordingly. Hope is a well oiled machine that will take a herculean effort to bring down.

Who can challenge Hope in class 4A? Most have already taken a shot at the Huskies during the season.

#5 Aztec (12-4-3, 9-1) actually played Hope Christian to a draw during the season. Can they repeat that performance and pull an upset? In order to get a second shot, the Tigers will have to defeat #12 Kirtland Central and then #4 Los Alamos.

#4 Los Alamos (10-7-2, 6-0) could get a chance to take on the Huskies but they will first have to face the winner of #5 Aztec vs #12 Kirtland Central.

#2 Albuquerque Academy and #3 St. Pius X will more than likely square off in the semifinals for a championship appearance. If the bracket plays out the way we all think, Hope Christian will face either team for a third time this season. Academy had the closest match with them in a 1-0 loss on Oct 10/17.

While the 4A bracket looks to belong to Hope Christian, anything can happen in playoffs. Sometimes the overwhelming powerhouse gets stunned in an upset by a team that no one thinks can do it.

A-3A Girls

#1 seed, Sandia Prep, looks poised to once again make a run for the blue trophy. The Sundevils are also looking to three-peat and will begin their playoffs against #8 Hatch Valley. An impressive note on Sandia Prep? Their roster contains only one senior, Emily Cook. Junior, Penny Hashagen, will be a player to keep on eye on throughout this tournament.

#5 Santa Fe Prep and #4 St. Michael’s will duke it out in a third meeting this year. This will be a close one as they split their district matches. The winner will more than likely have a date with Sandia Prep in the semifinals.

#3 Ruidoso will host #6 East Mountain. East Mountain has potential to pull an upset in this one. Ruidoso won their only meeting of the year 3-0 early on in the season.

#2 Bosque is looking to return back to the championship match. They will have to defeat #7 West Las Vegas in the quarterfinals and potentially #3 Ruidoso in the semifinals. The Bobcats are led by the duo of Ainsley Capps (junior) and Rose Candelaria (sophomore). Bosque is a nightmare to deal with when Ainsley and Rose are given opportunity to score.

---