ALBUQUERQUE N.M. — For the Girls Class A-3A state championship match, three-seeded Sandia Prep upset one-seeded Cottonwood Classical Prep, 1-0, to win the state title.
The Sundevils captured their first state title since 2024. It’s also their 9th state title in the last 11 years. They finished the year with a 17-6 overall record.
It was a defensive battle in the first half and for the first 71 minutes of the match, the game remained scoreless.
Then, in the 72nd minute, sophomore Keira Rodriguez beat her defenders and scored the eventual game winning goal to put the Sundevils up 1-0.
“And I just feel so thankful for everyone who came out here to watch. I’m thankful I could do this for my team and my seniors to win in their senior year. I’ve never felt this type of feeling. I just feel so amazing”, said Rodriguez.
This is the sixth state title under head coach Matthew Westerlund who said his girls were able to overcome the adversity and earn this state title.
“For me the sign of a team with character is being able to face the adversity and come out on top and I couldn’t be prouder of this group of girls that many of them have been part of this program this eighth grade”, said Westerlund.
