ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The New Mexico Soccer Academy U-16 girls have already made history. The team is headed to the Girls Academy National Finals in Richmond, Virginia, becoming the first team from New Mexico to reach the tournament’s final eight.
“It’s excitement because all of these girls, we have all worked so hard for such a long time that this is something that we wanted since day one,” player Sydney Melendez said. “It’s awesome just feeling like we have done it.”
The historic run comes after the team captured the Conference championship before battling through the Girls Academy National Playoffs in California. A dramatic Round of 16 victory punched their ticket to the national finals. “I mean, it was a great feeling,” player Lyza Shelle said. “We have made it to nationals twice before, but never got out of our group. Not only winning our group, but advancing into the final eight was just amazing to do.”…