weekly Recap

recent events

​This past weekend, our team hit the road for an exciting trip to Arizona, combining
competitive soccer, focused preparation, and valuable team bonding. The weekend was
packed with meaningful moments—both on and off the field—as our players grew together
as athletes and teammates.

Friday: Game day focus

The trip kicked off Friday afternoon with a team meal, followed by a team meeting to go
over game plans and set goals for the weekend. After fueling up and locking in mentally, the
team departed from the hotel for the first match of the trip. Kickoff was at 7:00 pm, and the
players came out strong, showing energy and determination against quality competition,
Phoenix Rising [2-1 WIN]. After a long day of travel and play, the group returned to the
hotel to rest—lights out by 11:00 pm to recharge for a busy Saturday ahead.

Saturday: Training, Learning, and Team Bonding

​The day started bright and early with breakfast from 7:30–8:00 am before heading to Casa
Grande for a 10:00 am training session. The focus was on fine-tuning tactics and
sharpening skills after Friday’s match.
Afterward, the team checked in, followed by lunch and a quiet study table session—a great
reminder that our players are committed to excellence both on the field and in the
classroom.
​
Evening activities included a team meeting, dinner, and then some well-earned downtime
before lights out at 10:00 pm.

Sunday: Game Day & Heading Home

​Sunday morning came early with breakfast between 6:00–7:00 am, then a 7:15 am departure
for the field. The team’s second kickoff was at 9:00 am, and the players showcased
everything they had been working on—intensity, teamwork, and resilience. The final score
was 0-2 against Barca Residency Academy in Casa Grande, AZ. After the match, the group
packed up, shared a final meal together, and returned to Las Cruces by 12:45 pm, tired but
proud of a weekend well spent.

A Weekend to Remember​

To wrap up the weekend, we asked a few of our players to share their favorite memories,
takeaways, and what the trip meant to them. From pre-game jitters to post-game laughs,
here’s what they had to say: “Oh man, it was really good,” says Isaiah Wong. “We just had a lot of team events and just hanging out outside of the game. The accommodations were great, and I think the whole
team was just really focused throughout the whole weekend. That was probably the best
part, we just really really played together.”

Player Daniel Boyce says his favourite part of the experience was “the camaraderie of the
team and just the whole kind of vibe of it, we were all very together. We didn’t end how we
wanted to with the loss, but I think going in and getting a big three points before the USL
season finished was nice. Having Saturday to recover, see a cool campus, and hang out, it
was just like a trip with the boys with some soccer. It was great.”

When asked about how the overall soccer experience was, Player Caedan Grubelnik had to
say, “I think the soccer was really good, it was some of the best I’ve seen this year as a team,
working together. [You know] everyone was staying on top of each other but in a positive
way, and we all just worked together and grinded out two good performances.”

Beyond the scores and stats, this Arizona trip was about connection—between teammates,
coaches, and the game itself. The players demonstrated focus, discipline, and camaraderie
throughout the weekend, setting a strong foundation for the rest of the season.

in other news

You can also catch more information about our program on the NMSU Round Up, where
Sports Writer Addidyn Hartman tells the story and goals for our program. You can read all
about it here: NMSU The Round Up

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