Goalie Jaxon Martines allowed only one goal but it was the deciding goal. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Kye Jones deflects a Charger’s scoring attempt in the first half. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com 
Samuel Cirigliano heads the ball back up the field. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com By RJ Montaño
Los Alamos Daily Post
rjmontano@ladailypost.com
Something you don’t normally hear after a 1-0 loss is that it was one of the most exciting games of season. But that was the case Friday afternoon as the Los Alamos Hilltoppers boys’ soccer team dropped a hotly contested match to district foe and top ranked 5A team Albuquerque Academy Chargers.
“Things happen. It wasn’t a break down, it was just a good goal against us and (Academy) earned it,” Coach Ron Blue said.
The Chargers scored on a weak side goal in the 31st minute of the match.
“A lot of teams will struggle with that, the U.S. National team got scored on by that same play. I’m proud of the way we handled ourselves. Last game we fell apart when we got down, this game we battled all the way,” Blue said.
Jaxson Martines had another stellar game in the net. During the 59th minute, a Charger broke free down the middle of the field and had a wide-open shot, but Martines laid out taking the shot directly to the abdomen but making the stop. Martines jumped up quickly with the ball, moving the ‘Toppers down the field.
Neither team dominated the other in the deadlock of a match. A rematch will have to take place in the NMAA tournament.
“Man, I hope we get them again, there’s no crime to lose to (Academy), the crime was when we played at Academy we didn’t work hard. I don’t have a problem losing to good teams. They wouldn’t have had a problem losing to us, they would have said ‘Hey, that’s a good team,’” Blue said. “This proves we are good.”
The atmosphere for the game was incredible.
“I told the team before the game that this was a playoff game, and it really was. And if we’re going to lose a playoff game, let’s lose it in the regular season,” Blue joked after the match.
Even in the loss, this was one of the ‘Toppers’ best and most complete games of the season. The team seems to be gelling at the right time.
“The boys have taken the next step, they’re positive with each other and they recognize that this is how we need to compete,” Blue said.
The last home match of the season will be Thursday afternoon with a boys’ and girls’ double header against Capital. This is a great opportunity to show appreciation for a pair of very competitive teams on Senior Day.
Jesse Prime takes a tumble while trying to steal the ball from two Chargers. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com 
Tristan Semelsberger heads the ball toward the goal in the first half. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Arthur Steinkamp attempts a slide tackle near the Academy goal in the first half. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Jesse Prime takes a fall with a little help from a Charger defender. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com