RHS athletes all-district in soccer

Jalen Martinez’s frenetic energy on the pitch was a key ingredient as Robertson boys’ soccer team won District 1 a season ago and came close again this year.

Dave Kavanaugh/Optic photo

Robertson’s Caitlin Diefendorf jockeys for position in the Lady Cardinals’ state semifinal against eventual runner-up Hope Christian, then ranked No. 1 in Class 1A-3A girls’ soccer. Diefendorf, who was the second-leading scorer in New Mexico, shared District 1 Player of the Year honors with teammate Kristen Montaño.

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Dave Kavanaugh/Optic photo

Kristen Montaño fires off a goal kick during state tournament play for the Lady Cardinals.

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Dave Kavanaugh/Optic photo

Robertson’s Jalen Martinez maintains control of the ball in a home match with Pojoaque Valley. Martinez is one of just a couple upperclassmen who played for the Cardinals this season.

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It also made him a Player of the Year in the district as he helped lead the Cardinals through a tough senior season categorized as a building year.

“Great leadership,” commented longtime RHS head coach Clarence Montoya, who noted that Martinez had 23 goals and seven assists while serving as a co-captain of the squad.

Senior defender Kristen Montaño and sophomore forward Caitlin Diefendorf shared Player of the Year honors on the girls’ side after the Lady Cardinals captured the district championship and a top-four seed in the state tournament.

Diefendorf notched 50 goals and 17 assists in the regular season — second most in the state, regardless of classification.

Montaño solidified the defensive backfield and was the Lady Cards’ top sweeper. She also had 12 goals and seven assists.

All-district honors were announced last week as the season rolled to a close.

Robertson also netted a host of other honors:
• Ian Williamson, the RHS girls’ first-year head coach, was named Coach of the Year after mentoring the team to the district title and state semifinals.
• Seven Lady Cardinals — Caitlin Diefendorf, Morgan Diefendorf, Katie Houdek, Elena Martinez, Kristen Montaño, Siah Trudell-Mills and Amber Yara — dominated the first team all-district.
Erika Baca, Tori Gallegos, Ashley Jaramillo and Alicia Jaramillo were named honorable mention.
Gallegos, Ashley Jaramillo, Houdek, Elena Martinez and Montaño are seniors; the rest are expected to return next fall.
• In addition to Jalen Martinez, Brandon Maes and Brandon Trujillo — both juniors — were chosen first-team all-district on the boys’ side.
Sophomores Fabian Duran and Michael Salas took second-team honors.

All-state balloting was to close on Friday.