By MIKE COTE
Los Alamos Daily Post
Los Alamos’ boys and girls soccer teams both earned byes into the second round of the Class 4A playoffs, which get going Tuesday.
Tuesday’s first-round match-ups in 4A will pit seeds 5-12 against each other, with the top four seeds in both the boys and girls awaiting those first-round winners this coming weekend.
Despite dropping its final game of the regular season, Los Alamos’ boys earned the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
Los Alamos was nipped by Sandia Prep, historically one of the top small-school programs in the state, 1-0 Saturday in Albuquerque.
Nevertheless, the Hilltopper boys finished with a record of 15-4-1, good enough to earn that 3 seed.
They will face the winner between Albuquerque Highland, the No. 6 seed, and Bloomfield, the 11 seed, when they face off for Tuesday’s first round.
Lovington earned the top overall seed on the boys’ side. Albuquerque Academy was the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, and Santa Teresa finished as the No. 4 seed.
Los Alamos’ girls, meanwhile, earned the No. 4 seed and will also have a bye in the opening round. They will play the winner between fifth-seeded Artesia and Chaparral, the 12th seed and final team to get into the playoffs.
That quarterfinal round match-up will be played at Sullivan Field this coming Friday or Saturday.
The Hilltopper girls finished their season with a record of 12-5-2. Their winning percentage of .684 was the second-best in Class 4A behind only Albuquerque Academy.
They finished their regular season Saturday with a 2-2 tie at Sandia Prep.
St. Pius X finished as the top overall seed, followed by No. 2 Hope Christian and No. 3 Academy.
For both the boys and girls Class 4A playoffs, the first, quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will all be played at the home of the higher seed. The championship game will be at the University of New Mexico Soccer Complex Nov. 5.
