Navajo Prep, KC soccer teams have eyes on state playoffs

FRUITLAND, N.M.

For the first time in awhile, the Navajo Preparatory School soccer team has been able to hit the ground running.

Typically, the team is filled with inexperienced players who had never played the game. This season, however, head coach Stacy Irvin has some experience, even with a youthful group.

“The new ones I have they are more soccer savvy than what I’ve had before,” he said. “I can start with positioning, what I want to do in our formations and so forth, because they already know the basics.”

Irvin said about eight of his 20-person roster are freshmen, some of which will help lead the team along with two seniors he has.

He said the team, that is already 1-2 this season, will focus on making improvements as they do every season.

“What I tell them to focus on is maybe the style of play that I use. Learn from our mistakes to where they watch and learn how they play and I always want to have a positive attitude,” he said. “I want them to watch and learn and incorporate it into their own.”

District rivals Kirtland Central High School, share similar goals as Navajo Prep, but are a tad more specific.

Kirtland Central head coach Chad Kimball said their focus is on making sure they get a good seeding.

“Really what we’re looking for is to get a good quality seeding in the state tournament, so we got to due well in district and we have to beat certain opponents by a large margin,” he said. “But we definitely want to be hosting a regional game when it comes time for the postseason.”

With the help of leaders like Megan Silversmith and Phyllis Kitseallyboy on defense, Kimball said they have attainable goals.

“Really Phyllis Kitseallyboy and Megan Silversmith are both serving up the defense, Daniela (Romero) is doing a very good job back there as well,” he said.

---