Rio Rancho and Cleveland gear up for 2026 girls soccer season
The 2026 girls soccer season in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, is set to begin with both Rio Rancho High School and Cleveland High School opening their campaigns against Atrisco Heritage and Centennial respectively. After a dramatic 2025 that saw Rio Rancho reach the 5A title game and Cleveland finish with a 5-11-4 record, the teams are looking to translate recent experiences into new growth.
Rio Rancho’s 2025 run was anchored by standout performances from Danae Lee, who finished as the team’s top scorer, and the dynamic presence of seniors such as Sophia Urquidez and Kendall Sullivan. While key players Kiera Trujillo-Garcia and Sophia Smith have moved on, Coach Jenna Sievers believes the experience gained will fuel a young roster filled with underclassmen eager to prove themselves.
Cleveland, under the long tenure of Coach Greg Rusk, will enter the new season without their veteran leader, who has retired after many years of service. The squad will lean on senior voices including Aliyah C’de Baca, Maritza Gonzalez and Sophia Corlew, with C’de Baca having led the team in scoring as a sophomore and also anchoring the defense at center back in 2025.
Both programs are counting on the blend of youthful energy and seasoned guidance as they prepare for the first matches of the season. The upcoming fixtures against Atrisco Heritage and Centennial will serve as early tests of how the rebuilt rosters adapt to new roles and expectations.