SANDIA PREP STEPPING UP TO THE COMPETITION

The Sandia Prep girls soccer program has won the last three Class A-3A state championships, and titles in seven of the last eight years. They are looking to tie their own program record with a fourth straight state title this year. “Our senior leadership is full of people who have played for me since the eighth grade,” said head coach Matt Westerlund.  “Kayla Calkins, one of the players who’s been with me for five years, Bridget Hurley, Penny Hashagen…it’s really a chance for those seniors to step up and show these incoming underclassmen how we do things within Sandia Prep.”

This year the Sundevils have eight returning seniors on the roster with the same goal as last season.  “Our main goal this season, that we are always working for, is to win another state championship….and to do well in Metro, too,” said senior Bridget Hurley.

For the first time under head coach Matt Westerlund, Sandia Prep was invited to play in the Metro Championships against 4A and 5A competition. “It’s super exciting being the first time that any of us are going to be playing in Metro,” said senior Kayla Calkins.  “It’s nerve-racking because we’re going to be playing against the larger schools and bigger opponents, but I see it as an opportunity to show that even though we are a smaller school that we can still hang with the bigger ones.”

“Everybody is a target for us,” said Westerlund.  “They want to take us out and us on the flip side wanting to impress.”

By the time district rolls around, the Sundevils should be battle tested.  After the Metro Championships, Sandia Prep is also scheduled to play in the Albuquerque Academy Invitational against more 4A and 5A schools. “From the very first day it’s something that we have to prove on the field, play with our heart on our sleeve and really support each other,” said Westerlund.  “I hope that after the first month everyone in our classification, and outside of it, are going to be taking note on the type of leadership and players that we have.”

Sandia Prep will take on Rio Grande on Wednesday.