This past week was a busy one for the boys varsity soccer team with three games on the schedule.

Chargers vs. Del Norte Knights
On Tuesday, October 3rd, Academy hosted Del Norte. The two teams met in the APS Metro Tournament. Academy won that game 9-1, but Del Norte had fielded a solid team with good talent and a lot can change from the start of the season.
The Academy started quickly when Luke Babinski ’24 finished a pass from Eco Chavez ’24 in the eleventh minute. But besides the early goal, the Academy could not put a stamp on the game. They would possess but Del Norte kept a strong defensive shape and would not allow another. As the half wound down, Del Norte’s forward finished a free kick. 1-1.
Coming out of halftime, the Academy was perhaps surprised to be in a dog fight. Things got worse when just eight minutes in, Del Norte struck on a counterattack and took the lead 1-2. The goal animated the Academy and they continued to apply pressure. In the 55th minute, Evan Chang ’25 headed home a corner kick from Grady Gilchrist ’25. The momentum was firmly in the Academy’s favor when in quick succession Alex Jackson ’25 and Chavez finished two more goals on assists by Gilchrist. 4-2. As time ran out Townes Richardson ’25 broke into the box and was fouled, earning a penalty kick that he struck with assurance. Final score 5-2.

Chargers vs. Bernalillo Spartans
Just two days later, the Academy traveled to Bernalillo for another district match. Bernalillo has often struggled to field a team, but with a nice turf field and some strong coaching, they have built a varsity that is close to a winning record this year. The first half was a slog as both teams felt each other out. Bernalillo is clearly a better side than in the past as they were disciplined at all levels, especially defense. The Academy had the run of play, outshooting their foe, but unable to finish. 0-0 at halftime.
It took just seven minutes for Academy to get on the board, when Ethan Myers ’26 struck a ball bouncing in the penalty box and found the back of the net. Unfortunately, just five minutes later, Bernalillo had a lightning quick counterattack and earned a penalty kick that was finished with class. 1-1. The game was on! The forward tandem of Luke Babinski ’24 and Grady Gilchrist ’25 took over from there, marauding through the Bernalillo defense. First Babinski struck on a long dribble and then Maks Giermakowski ’25 powered home a corner kick from Gilchrist. Time was called with the score 3-1.

Chargers vs. Los Alamos Hilltoppers
The whole week had been a build up to a key Division 4A match against Los Alamos. Over the years these two teams have tussled more than any other, meeting in several state championships or semi-finals, with Academy always coming out on top. With the Academy having to travel several hours north and gaining more than 2,000 feet in elevation Los Alamos enjoyed a strong homefield advantage. The two teams were both in the top four of the state division rankings with tournament seeding on the line.
The Academy had won the first two games of the week but had not played particularly well. On Friday, the captains called a players only meeting instead of holding a practice. Whatever was said, the players looked in good spirits going into a tough match. Los Alamos debuted a new cheer and seemed particularly animated and confident. The cold reality of just what a fully committed Academy team was capable of became quickly apparent to the home side when, just two minutes in, Grady Gilchrist ’25 rounded the defense on the wing and passed across the goal.
The team has a saying: “finish at all costs,” which indicates that a chance at goal must be respected with total effort. Eco Chavez ’24 had made the run to the far post but tripped as the ball arrived. Splayed flat on the ground, Chavez scrambled up and threw his leg at the ball and finished. 1-0.
The next twenty minutes would be dominated by the Academy as Richardson, Chang, and Jackson dominated the midfield and Babinski and Gilchrist were too quick and deft for the defense. Only a few remarkable saves by the Los Alamos keeper kept the game under control. Los Alamos started to find some possession and ideas in the midfield in the last ten minutes of the half, but the Academy defense was not in the mood, clinically shutting down every opportunity. Finally, Gilchrist again pierced the defense and was dragged down from behind, earning a penalty shot. The victim of some unlucky finishing during the last few games, Gilchrist blasted the ball past the keeper, releasing his pent-up aggression. 2-0 at halftime.
Unfortunately for Los Alamos, the Academy came out of halftime determined to play a complete game. Eight and ten minutes into the restart, Richardson and then Chase Jones ’26 scored on strong efforts. Richardson headed a long free kick from Gilchrist that was initially saved but Richardson touched the rebound past the keeper. Jones decided he could handle Los Alamos on his own and dribbled from the midway line, through the defense, and finished past a diving keeper. 4-0. Los Alamos clawed back a bit of respect when a long free kick from fifty yards out surprised Academy and lofted into the back of the net. 4-1. The Academy responded minutes later when Babinski sent a corner to Gilchrist for a laser strike. 5-1.
The Academy is now three quarters of the way through the regular season and had been looking for a game that would send a message to the rest of the state. The Academy had gone to the intimidating home of a top team in the state and outshot them 15-4. They had played a complete game and had been in control since the opening minutes. This is what the team is capable of when firing on all cylinders.
The Academy is 11-4 and plays next on Thursday against Valley before an important showdown against Hope at home on October 17th.