APS Metro Championships Recap - August 27, 2024
Albuquerque, NM – The reigning 4A state champions, the St. Pius X Sartans, continued their dominant form with a commanding 6-0 victory over the Valley Vikings (1-2) on Tuesday night at the APS Metro Championships. Fresh off an incredible 21-2 season and currently ranked No. 1 in the Class 4A New Mexico coaches poll, the Sartans are showing no signs of slowing down.
This latest win boosts the Sartans to a 2-0 start in their 2024 campaign as they set their sights on defending their state title. The game against Valley showcased the team’s depth and cohesion, with goals coming from five different players. Mateo Certain (2026), Didier Herrera (2026), Kenneth Calderon (2026), and Nico Reyes (2027) each found the back of the net, while Diego Herrera (2029) led the team with two goals. The Sartans were relentless in the first half, scoring five of their six goals before halftime, leaving no doubt about their dominance.
Looking ahead, the Sartans will face a tougher challenge on Thursday evening when they go up against 5A Albuquerque High (2-1) at 6:30 PM as part of the invitational. This matchup will be another key test as they aim to maintain their top spot in the rankings and build momentum early in the season.
Other Sartan Athletics News:
- Volleyball: The defending 4A state champion Sartans kicked off their season with a 3-0 victory over Cibola (25-20, 25-18, 25-22), starting their season 1-0.
- Women’s Soccer: The Sartan women's soccer team faced a tough 2-1 defeat against Sandia on Monday night during the APS Metro Championships. They are now 0-2 after competing against two top 5A programs.