FARMINGTON – More than a decade has passed since a San Juan County high school girls soccer team has played in a state championship game.
In 2013, Aztec, while coached by Stephen Parks, played in the second of two consecutive Class 4A title games, losing to St. Pius by a final of 2-1. In 2012, the Tigers lost 3-1 to Albuquerque Academy in the state title game.
The inability to bring home a state title is not due to a lack of trying.
Last year, Aztec, Piedra Vista and Farmington High’s girls soccer teams took part, respectively, in the Class 4A and 5A state postseason tournaments. The Scorpions advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated via penalty kicks by Volcano Vista.
Piedra Vista was eliminated in the quarterfinals 2-0 by eventual state champion Eldorado.
The Tigers, which have been in the playoffs each season since 2009, lost to Hope Christian in the quarterfinals last year.
Led by head coach Jason Miller, Aztec’s girls soccer team will open their season in tournament action Friday in Taos where they will face Capital before a pair of games on Saturday against St. Michael’s and Robertson.
Along with Kirtland Central, Gallup, Miyamura and Bloomfield, District 1-4A will have a new member for girls soccer in Navajo Prep.
The Navajo Prep girls soccer season gets underway Friday at Bernalillo High, where the Eagles open preseason tournament action against Portales.
Led by head coach Katayan Ameri, the Eagles have struggled to get victories over the past several seasons, going winless in 20 district contests the past two seasons.
The shift to District 1-4A will open up a possibility of new challenges for the team. Ameri is optimistic those changes will lead to better results.
“Going to 4A will show who we are against teams in our area,” Ameri said. “We’re building a culture based on discipline, effort, accountability, and playing for one another. Another important part of the move is playing closer to home which means shorter travel and more opportunities for families, students to come out.”
Ameri will be looking to several key contributors on this season’s team, including sisters Kymber and Isabella Yazzie, as well as junior Sariah Begaye.
“(Begaye) brings discipline, dedication, as well as her vision to see plays and create opportunities for her teammates,” Ameri said. “Kymber, a freshman, is already emerging as a key player with speed and her ability to challenge and compete with defenders. Isabella is a natural playmaker and can make things happen when the ball is at her feet.”
In Class 5A, Farmington and Piedra Vista each finished with winning records and will look to continue that direction.
Mikaela Donaldson, last year’s second-leading scorer for Piedra Vista, will be returning as a junior this season alongside Marquel Peace. The pair combined for 20 goals and six assists last year.
Farmington will bring back several key starters on a team that is still relatively young.
Junior Brooklyn Herrera and sophomore Rochelle Tadeo each led the Scorpions with seven goals apiece last season. Juniors Avery Sandefer and Avery Taft.