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Being named to the High School All-America Soccer Team is just the latest in a long string of accomplishments that make Finnegan Saunders ‘23 one of Sandia Prep’s best-ever players.

The United Soccer Coaches (USC) recently named Saunders one of 143 High School All-Americans (81 boys, 62 girls) for the Fall 2022 season.

Saunders and Sandia Prep Boys Varsity Soccer Coach Tommy Smith will be recognized for their accomplishments on January 14, 2023 at the All-America Ceremony and Reception in Philadelphia in conjunction with the USC Convention.

Smith will receive the Far West Region National Coach of the Year award.

Even in a storied soccer program, Saunders is leaving behind an impressive resume at Prep, Smith said. “Finn has been one of the best players I have coached. He will go down as one of the top Sandia Prep players of all time.”

Saunders broke several of Prep’s long-time soccer records: goals in a game (7), goals in a season (44), and total points in a season (106.) He also tied the 81 career goals that Tyrone Petrakis ‘05 set nearly 20 years ago.

Among the accolades Saunders racked up his senior year are: District Player of the Year; State Player of the Year (all classifications); 3A All State First Team; All Star Team (all classes); USC All State Team (all classifications); USC State Player of the Year (all classes); and USC Western United States Regional Team.

Saunders averaged two goals per game this season -- 44 goals over 22 games. In November, he scored both goals in the Sundevils’ 2-0 win over Hatch Valley to secure Prep’s third straight state championship. 

But numbers don’t tell the whole story about Saunders, Smith said. A few years ago, Prep lost two of its top players to the New Mexico United Academy, the youth program of the United Soccer League Championship New Mexico United professional team. “Finn remained with us and dedicated to our program and became our leader and led us to two more state titles,” he explained.

Not only did Saunders’ teammates respect him, but opposing players and coaches as well. “Many opposing coaches spoke highly of Finn and understood he was our leader and best player,” Smith said. “I feel like he helped put our boys soccer program back in the conversation as one of the best in New Mexico.”

Smith described Saunders as a “very unassuming” and hard-working player. “We had a good coach/player relationship and could talk freely about the team, tactics, and players,” he added.

In his modest way, Saunders said he’s most proud of ending his high school career with three state titles in a row and “being able to break a few records this last season.”

“Every year was very different but great because of Coach Smith and the teammates around me,” he said.

Perhaps not surprisingly, both coach and player listed the same favorite moment of Saunders’ career: His first goal in his first game of his freshman year. “We were losing 1-0 to St. Pius, and in the second half, the ball was crossed to me at the end of the box, and I volleyed it and it went in top right for my first ever high school goal,” Saunders recalled. “And all the boys celebrated it because it was to tie the game.”

Smith called that moment “an absolute gem of a goal.” 

But he also cited Saunders’ last two goals: Scoring in the State Championship game and giving Prep a 2-0 victory. “I'll always remember those moments, but of course, there were many, many more,” Smith said.

Soccer likely will be part of Saunders' college career, but he has not yet committed anywhere. He plans to study business.

Saunders credits Smith with his success as a student-athlete. “Coach Smith is one of the most passionate and competitive people I've ever met, but that's exactly why he has over 400 career wins,” he said. “He's done everything for me over the last four years with soccer; if I ever needed some help with college coaches or if I wanted a place to go shoot, he was always there to help and try to make me better. Smith has definitely made me a better player and a better person, and I thank him for that and everything he has done for me.”

He also acknowledged the role Prep played in his growth. “Prep gave me many great opportunities academically and athletically, so I'm really appreciative of them for that,” Saunders said. “Prep has really just been a place that I've been very comfortable at, and it allowed me to always just be me.”

Wherever Saunders’ future takes him, he can count on Smith to be rooting for him. “I enjoyed getting to be his coach for four years,” he said. “I will miss him dearly--not just his soccer ability, but his character, friendship, commitment, and dedication.”