It’s all smiles as Andreas Runde elevates the trophy that the Topper soccer received for winning the 2017 Louis Cernicek Tournament Championship. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Head Coach Rom Blue congratulates his team for the outstanding effort it takes to win a tournament of this caliber. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
By RJ Montaño, Sports Editor
Los Alamos Daily Post
rjmontano@ladailypost.com
The Louie Cernicek Memorial Tournament may have been a preview of the 2017 New Mexico high school soccer 5A championships. Roswell, Valencia, Los Lunas and Los Alamos have a very good chance of winning it all.
“Playing against these caliber teams is great,” Coach Ron Blue said after the tournament.
Los Alamos (5-0) claimed the tournament title by beating both Valencia (1-1) and Los Lunas (3-3) Saturday.
The Hilltoppers faced some early adversity against Valencia going down 1-0 in the first half, but remained poised and composed to come back for the 2-1 victory in the 8 a.m. semi-final match.
“Two years ago, we were in the state finals, last year we were in the state semifinals. These guys have been in some dog fights,” coach Blue said about his team’s experience.
In the championship game, Los Lunas’ play was physical and aggressive while the level-headed play of the ‘Toppers gave them the upper hand, with the team up by two goals early in the match. Senior Christopher Blue scored on a breakaway with an assist by junior Arthur Steinkamp in the fifth minute of the game. Junior Jared Carnes would add another goal for the ‘Toppers after a scramble in front of the Los Lunas net in the 31st minute.
Just before the end of the first half, Los Lunas’ Diego Sanchez nailed a 30-yard strike to keep the Tigers in the match.
In the second half, senior Tristan Semelsberger walked in an assist from Steinkamp in the 48th minute and senior Kaoru Shimada settled down the confusion in front of the Tigers net for the 4th ‘Topper goal of the game, leading to the final score of 4-1.
Not listed on the scoring sheet, but having an incredible tournament, was senior Adam Listwan.
“The guy’s outstanding,” Coach Blue said about Listwan. “He’s playing at a very high level. He’s aggressive, he skilled, he’s quick and reading the game very well.”
Listwan was named tournament defensive most valuable player.
“It makes me feel great, it was a full defensive effort and I’m proud of how I played and how the team played,” Listwan said after being awarded his trophy.
“When we play as a team, we can beat any team in the state, we have that ability,” Coach Blue answered about his team’s chemistry.
The ‘Toppers will need to play as a team this Tuesday when Los Alamos travels to Albuquerque to take on the 2016 state runner up St. Pius Sartans. It’ll be the Sartans first match of the season, while the ‘Toppers will be going into the match having already played five.
“They lace them tight and they’re going to come kick us, and that’s what we expect every time we face them,” Blue said about St. Pius. “They play hard and their coach gets them [ready]. It’ll be very physical, but hopefully we come out learning a little more about us and hopefully with a win.”
Under a rainbow, the Los Alamos Hilltopper soccer team proudly displays the trophy for winning the 2017 Louis Cernicek Tournament Championship played at Sullivan field Friday and Saturday. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Jared Carnes puts pressure on the Tiger goalie during a corner kick. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Tristan Semelsberger takes a header near the Los Lunas goal in the first half. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Christopher Blue kicks the ball past the Tiger goalie for the second goal of the game. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Kye Jones slide kicks the ball from a Tiger player in the first. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Topper Goalie, Jacob Majors picks up a ball near the goal line in the first half. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com