« Back

Sundevil Soccer Dominates State Championships

November 8th, 2022


Double the trouble, double the fun.

On the same day, both Sandia Prep’s Girls Varsity Soccer and Boys Varsity Soccer teams hoisted blue trophies as they captured Class 1A-3A State Championship titles.

It was the second year in a row the girls captured the crown and the fourth championship in five years for Coach Matt Westerlund.

Seniors Kiran Hill ‘23 and Maddie Hashagen ’23 scored Prep’s two points in a late rally against Bosque School, the winning goal coming in the last minute of regulation time.

“It was insane, it was like a lightning bolt to our hearts almost,” Hill told KOAT-TV after the win. “It was just so lifting, like we just did that.”

Westerlund gave the girls full credit for winning the title. “I’m just the instrument that gets them to work together the right way, the conductor if you will,” he told the Albuquerque Journal.

The boys’ victory was their third straight state title, fourth in five seasons, and 21st in program history.

Senior Finnegan Saunders ’23 scored both of the Sundevils’ goals for the win against Hatch Valley.

This was Coach Tommy Smith’s 14th state title. “It doesn’t get old,” he told the Albuquerque Journal. “It’s kind of fun.”

Finnegan said he expects the Sundevil domination to continue. “Since I’ve been coming here, we’ve been winning three out of four, and I think with Coach Smith and everyone on the coaching staff, it will continue for a long time,” he told KOAT-TV.

Congratulations to the Sundevil soccer program for the sweep!

Photo credits:

Girls soccer, Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal

Boys soccer, Mike Sandoval/For the Albuquerque Journal