Aztec, Rehoboth Christian strikers lead soccer all-stars
Special to the Times | Lee Begaye
Rehoboth’s Liam Bia (8) dribbles the ball away from Santa Fe Prep’s Ryan Crow (18) on Nov. 4 in a 2-0 win in Rehoboth, N.M. Bia was selected as the 2023 Navajo Times Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
WINDOW ROCK – After leading their respective teams in the state playoffs Rehoboth Christian’s Liam Bia and Aztec’s Rheala Herrera were both named the Navajo Times’ Boys and Girls Soccer Players of the Year.
Bia helped the Rehoboth Lynx to a final four appearance in the New Mexico Class A-3A state tournament. The senior midfielder was named Player of the Game for the 14-4-2 Lynx in six games this past season.
Special to the Times | Curtis Ray Benally
Aztec striker Rheala Herrera headbutts the ball into the net and scores a goal against Kirtland Central’s Hope Chapman (left), Brylee Sullivan (3) and Amber Shorty (11) in the second half on Oct. 24 at Fred Cook Stadium. Herrera was tabbed the as the 2023 Navajo Times Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
Bia booted 27 goals and finished with 26 assists, which ranks him in the top 10 among players statewide in the A-3A classification.
He was an all-district and all-state selectee with first-team honors.
Herrera also put up some gaudy numbers for the 13-5-3 Lady Tigers as Aztec reached the elite eight in the Class 4A state tournament.
The Aztec striker capped her senior year with 30 goals. She is headed to play for the Indian Hills Community College women’s soccer team in Ottumwa, Iowa next season.
Herrera was also selected to the all-district and all-state team with first-team honors.
Just recently, Herrera received recognition from the United Soccer Coaches with an All-State Team USC selection, which is a first for Aztec High.
The Soccer Coaches of the Year honors went to Aztec’s Leroy Nelson and Rehoboth Christian’s Phil Frederiksen.
Working with a seasoned team that included eight seniors, Nelson coached Aztec to its ninth consecutive district title. The Lady Tigers finished with a 9-1 mark in league play.
Frederiksen also returned a veteran group this season as Rehoboth finished second in District 1 with a 4-3-1 record behind state powerhouse Albuquerque Sandia Prep.
Highway 264,
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