Gadsden held the defending champions scoreless through the first half, with both teams limiting offensive opportunities in a closely contested defensive battle.
By Levi Gwaltney for Las Cruces Digest
Source: New Mexico Activities Association (via Facebook)
Cover Image Courtesy GISD, Photo Courtesy NMAA
The Gadsden High School boys soccer team concluded a historic season Thursday, November 5, falling 2-0 to defending champion St. Pius X in the NMAA Class 4A State Championship at the University of New Mexico Soccer Complex in Albuquerque.
The second-seeded Panthers (18-4-2) were making their first appearance in a state championship match in school history. They faced a top-seeded St. Pius X team (20-3-1) seeking its second consecutive state title and third championship in four years.
Gadsden held the defending champions scoreless through the first half, with both teams limiting offensive opportunities in a closely contested defensive battle.
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St. Pius X broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when junior Diego Herrera delivered a corner kick that senior Jude Benavides headed into the net. Senior Nico Reyes, the Sartans' all-time leading scorer, added a second goal in the 75th minute to secure the 2-0 victory.
The Panthers reached the championship match with a 1-0 semifinal victory over district rival Santa Teresa. That contest produced a memorable moment after the final whistle, when players from both teams exchanged hugs and congratulations despite the disappointment of the result.
Gadsden Athletic Director Maria Legarreta reflected on the significance of that moment.
“As happy and proud as I am of our student-athletes and our soccer program, I have to say that the moment that touched my heart the most was watching the players from both teams hug each other after the game,” Legarreta said.
Photo Courtesy New Mexico Activities Association
“We are rivals on the field, but seeing the respect, love, and sportsmanship these young men showed each other reminded me that we are all part of the same community, the GISD community. It was a special night for GHS, but seeing that moment between both teams made it even more meaningful. So proud of our Panthers and our Desert Warriors for showing us that there is so much more to sports than winning a game!”
Although the Panthers came up short in the championship match, their first trip to the state final established a new milestone for the Gadsden soccer program. The season ended with an 18-4-2 record, a state runner-up finish and a demonstration of sportsmanship that extended beyond the championship chase.
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