Three Lady Scorps make first team all-state

FARMINGTON — The Farmington soccer teams were well-represented on this year’s 5A all-state boys and girls teams.

Hannah Kelley, Aubriana Lopez and Alissa Montoya were selected to the 5A all-state first team, while Branson Carter was the only boy in San Juan County to be named to the first team.

Farmington’s Bailey Carter and Arin Coleman made the 5A girls second team along with Aztec starters Ashlynn Bradley, Lece Aviles and Paige Adair. Piedra Vista’s Aspyn Tracy also made the second team, and Andrew Moss of Farmington made the 5A boys second squad.

In District 1A-4A, three Bloomfield athletes were named to the second team: Teagan Mosley and Brittany Brown got the nod for the girls, while Samuel Gutierrez earned a spot as the only area representative on the 1A-4A boys team.

The Lady Scorpions didn’t get as deep into the state tournament as they hoped, but the team still enjoyed a great 19-3 season where they went undefeated against district opponents.

FHS coach Shannon Gill said she thinks Kelley — who scored 35 goals this season — would have been honored as the 2015 player of the year had Farmington done a little better in the playoffs.

“We didn’t make it to the title game so she didn’t get that recognition, but she’s improved for us every year for five years,” Gill said of Kelley. “She’s been our leading scorer for the last two or three years. She was a team captain and a leader. It’s going to be real tough to replace her.”

Lopez played every minute of every game for the Lady Scorpions as Farmington’s most reliable defender. Montoya, a midfielder and forward, picked up eight goals and 10 assists this season.

“(Lopez) shut down the opposing team’s best offensive player more often than not,” Gill said. “Alissa’s played strong all season at the midfield, on the outside wing, and she took her game to another level in the two state tournament games.”

Bailey Carter allowed only 11 goals in 22 games as FHS’ goalie this season while Arin Coleman finished second on the team in goals with 15.

Gill said she thought Carter and Coleman would have been locks for the first team had the Lady Scorps reached the state title game.

“It’s a shame we didn’t make it to the finals because it would have given Bailey and Arin that extra little push in terms of voting, I think,” Gill said.

Farmington boys coach Byron Farnsworth was proud that Branson Carter made the team. He said the senior was more than deserving of the honor.

“Branson’s one of the most underrated players in the state,” Farnsworth said. “He’s a solid defender, a great leader, he’s humble, he listens. You just can’t say enough about him."

Moss, a senior, made the 5A second team after finishing second on the team in points. Farnsworth said Moss’ move to the center midfield position this year went off without a hitch.

“He really did a knockout job for us this year at a position he had never played before,” Farnsworth said. “His skillset and vision are second to none. He scored some phenomenal goals for us, and at big moments.”

5A honorable mentioned include: Elana Kresl, Raimi Clark, Teya Holloman, Adrianna Sanders, Allison Schroth, Alyssa Bahe, Andi Johnson, Makeyan Kalmbach, Mackenzie Coleman, Kinsey Gomez, Canyon Ggoimarac, Peyton Rasmussen, Kahlil Stoltzfus, Joaquin Gonzalez, Luis Alvarez and Bailey Watkins.

In 1A-4A, the honorable mentions were: Edgar Fonseca, Naaki Brown, Hallie Wethington, Kelly Charley and Vanessa Harris.

Jake Newby covers sports for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4577.