Albuquerque 2022 Preseason All-Metro Boys
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There’s a bit of a youth movement in New Mexico as a number of juniors factor in the Preseason 11 and other players to watch this season. The Albuquerque area often goes under-recruited but has produced some high-end talent in…
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Continue ReadingThere’s a bit of a youth movement in New Mexico as a number of juniors factor in the Preseason 11 and other players to watch this season. The Albuquerque area often goes under-recruited but has produced some high-end talent in recent years, including one Albuquerque high school standout now playing at perennial NCAA powerhouse Maryland.
FORWARDS: Sandia’s Connor Cousins Connor Cousins F Sandia | 2023 NM is the most decorated of the returning forwards. Last year Cousins netted 19 goals en route to Albuquerque All-Metro first-team honors and all-state honors. … Sandia Prep’s Finn Saunders Finn Saunders F Sandia Prep | 2023 NM returns following a second-team All-Metro showing in 2021. While helping Sandia Prep to a 21-2 season, Saunders netted 26 goals and had nine assists. … Paul Melendres Paul Melendres F Eldorado | 2023 NM from Eldorado is back after earning Class 5A second-team all-state honors in 2021. He was among the state’s leading goalscorers last year.
MIDFIELDERS: Rio Rancho features two of the state’s top returning midfielders in Jamal Bynum Jamal Bynum F NM and Javier Trujillo Javier Trujillo M Rio Rancho | 2024 NM . Bynum, a senior, had eight goals and eight assists last season and garnered 5A first-team honors. Trujillo, more of an attacking player and only a junior, finished with 10 goals and six assists and earned second-team all-state honors. … Hope Christian’s Kaiden Giron Kaiden Giron M NM was a 4A second-team midfielder selection last season. He posted modest stats with six goals and three assists but his value was in defending. … La Cueva’s Chase Ricker Chase Ricker M La Cueva | 2024 NM , a junior, was a 5A second-team selection last year. He scored eight goals and added 11 assists in the Bears’ high-powered offense that more than five goals a season in 2021.
DEFENDERS: Two of the three preseason All-Metro defenders hail from Albuquerque Academy — Jude Logan Jude Logan D Albuquerque Academy | 2023 NM and Ethan Saiz Ethan Saiz F NM . Logan made second-team Albuquerque Journal honors last season. Logan also was a 4A all-state first-team pick and Saiz was a second-team selection. The pair helped the team to a 4A state title last fall. … La Cueva not only was one of the state’s top offensive teams but also among the best defensively en route to a 17-2-1 season. John Mee John Mee 6'2" | D La Cueva | 2023 NM , a 5A second-team all-state performer is back for the Bears. He chipped in with a goal and two assists.
GOALKEEPER: La Cueva junior Cole Bachuzewski Cole Bachuzewski GK La Cueva | 2024 NM gets the nod as preseason keeper in a strong group of Albuquerque netminders. Bachuzewski sported a GAA just above 1.00 while compiling a 15-2-1 record with seven shutouts.
Pos. | Name | School | Grade | Commitment |
GK | Cole Bachuzewski | La Cueva | Jr. | |
D | Jude Logan | Albuquerque Academy | Sr. | |
D | John Mee | La Cueva | Sr. | |
D | Ethan Saiz | Albuquerque Academy | Jr. | |
M | Jamal Bynum | Rio Rancho | Sr. | |
M | Kaiden Giron | Hope Christian | Sr. | |
M | Chase Ricker | La Cueva | Jr. | |
M | Javier Trujillo | Rio Rancho | Jr. | |
F | Connor Cousins | Sandia | Sr. | |
F | Paul Melendres | Eldorado | Sr. | |
F | Finn Saunders | Sandia Prep | Sr. | |
OTHERS | ||||
F | Leighton Dellabarca | Albuquerque Academy | Jr. | |
GK | Diego Ortega | Highland | Sr. | |
GK | Trey Smith | Eldorado | Sr. |