The Topper boys soccer team places second after falling to the Los Lunas Tigers 2-1 in the championship match played Friday morning at the Bernalillo Soccer Complex. The Tigers were first to get on the score board in the first half on a penalty kick. Then the Toppers scored in the second half on a penalty kick. The Tigers scored almost immediately after the Topper’s scored, which was the game winner. Both teams played a very strong defensive game that kept the score low. The game was very physical and hard fought on both sides of the ball. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Westley Parker battles with the Tiger goalkeeper for the ball in the first half. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Tiger defender Nilesh Mukundan slid tackles Aiden Semelsberger for the ball. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Samuel Cirigliano and Tiger Luis Quintana collide as the make a play for the ball. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
The Topper met their archrival, the St. Pius Sartans in the semifinal game played Thursday morning at the Bernalillo Soccer Complex. This is always a very aggressive and exciting game and this match was no exception. The Sartans were first to score and the Toppers matched that score in the first period. The match progresses and neither team managed a score in regulation time. At the end of the second overtime period the score was still tied, so a shootout was required. In the shootout, Topper goaltender Jaxon Martinez made the final save and gave the victory to the Toppers 4-3. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
The Topper team led by Aiden Semelsberger rushed out to congratulate Jaxson Martinez for winning the game. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Aiden Semelsberger kicks the ball for the Topper goal in the St Pius game. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
In the opening round of the State Soccer playoffs Wednesday morning at the Bernalillo Soccer Complex, the Toppers played the Hope Christian Huskies. The game was controlled by the Toppers and they won 4-0 in spite of the continuous rain falling throughout the entire game that soaked all in attendance. Westley Stanfield charged the ball early in the first half. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Aiden Semelsberger pushes Jarrett Claypool away from the ball in the first half. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Westly Parker heads the soggy ball near the Huskie goal in the first period. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Charlie Hill picks up a loose ball as Huskie Tony Burgarello takes a fall. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com