By SHAWN HAILEYLocally grown talent flourished at the 38th annual President’s Day Tournament in Phoenix, Ariz, where more than 400 teams participated from four countries and 25 states. On Sunday battling poor conditions, the 99s found a way to win 2-1 taking them to the championship match against an opponent they knew well, New Mexico Rush 00. After a weather shortened 60 minutes of scoreless soccer, the game was decided by kicks from the mark. Rio prevailed knocking in four goals while Rush was only able to tally two.
Katie Hopkins has been lighting up the scoreboard since joining the lady Hilltoppers as a freshman. In two season with the Hilltoppers she has 28 goals and 24 assists. That success has continued at the club level with the Rio Rapids SC 00s. The 01s dominated pool play outscoring their opponent eight to zero. The finals weren’t much different breezing to the gold with a four zero victory over USA Metro Breza out of Utah.
Anybody who knows Jaci Linn knows that life is soccer and after tearing her ACL during her sophomore year at Los Alamos High School wondered if she would ever make a full recovery. The answer to that question is she’s back and stronger than ever. Playing with Rio Rapids SC 00, Jaci playing holding mid anchored a defense that dominated play Saturday winning 2-0 and 5-0.
Competing with Elite FC 98, Tristen Roach who plans to continue his soccer career at the next level recently signing with Adams State finished the 2017 PDT with a 1-3 record. Andres Runde participating with New Mexico Rush 99 finished with a 2-2 record and taking home third place. Tristan and Aiden Semelsberger representing the Rio Rapids SC 99s and 03s finished with a 2-2 and 2-1-1 record respectively. Aiden scored three of the teams five goals and had one assist. Alix Hailey playing with Rio Rapids SC Impact finished with a 1-2-1 record. Players contributing to the win for NM Rush SF from Los Alamos included Jaxon Martines, Sam Cirigliano, Filipo Delzanno, Nicholas Mozyrsky and Wesley Stanfield.
