Sandia Matadors Defend 5A Soccer Crown With 5-1 Victory Over Capital

The Sandia Matadors claimed their third Class 5A state boys soccer championship on Thursday night, defeating the Capital Jaguars 5-1 at the UNM Soccer Complex in Albuquerque. The victory ends the Jaguars' season and extends the Matadors' winning streak in the final rounds of the tournament.

Sandia, the ninth seed, defeated the No. 7 seed in a match that served as a rematch of their district series. The Matadors had previously lost to the Jaguars during District 2-5A play. This win completes a sequence of victories over teams that had defeated them in the regular season, including La Cueva and Rio Rancho Cleveland.

Teo Ojeda, a senior midfielder for Sandia, was the primary driver of the offensive attack. He recorded a hat trick and provided two assists. Ojeda is the son of Loreyna Ojeda, a 1997 graduate of Capital High School. His performance against his father's alma mater was central to the Matadors' strategy, which head coach Ryan Sanchez described as building play around his ability to receive the ball.

Capital goalkeeper Dariel Monge made several saves early in the match, but the Jaguars struggled with possession. Junior forward Carlos Solis noted that initial passes were inaccurate, allowing Sandia to establish control. The Matadors took the lead in the 11th minute when Jade Fields headed in a cross from Ojeda.

Ojeda converted a penalty kick in the second half to extend the lead to 2-0. The gap widened to 3-0 in the 48th minute when Emmanuel Dodge redirected a rebound after Monge blocked a shot from Pecos Jones. Ojeda added two more goals to his total before the final whistle.

Capital scored its only goal in the 67th minute when Carlos Solis converted a penalty kick. Head coach Alvin Valdez acknowledged that limiting Ojeda's touches was a key tactical challenge that the team failed to execute. Valdez stated that the program is building toward future success, noting that the Jaguars reached the state final for the first time in 12 years.

The Jaguars finished with a 16-6-2 record. Sandia finished with a 16-7-1 record. The Matadors lifted the championship trophy on the field as the Jaguars regrouped for the next season. Valdez expressed confidence that the team's performance in the final indicates sustained competitiveness in the 5A division.

The match concluded at the UNM Soccer Complex, marking the end of the state tournament for both schools. Sandia players celebrated with fans, while Capital players prepared for offseason training. The result solidifies Sandia's position as a perennial contender in the class.