Organ Mountain's unbeaten season ends suddenly in overtime

It wasn’t the ending the Organ Mountain girls soccer team expected. And when it came, it was painfully sudden.

With less than a minute remaining in the first overtime period, Albuquerque High’s Joslin Sells found the corner of the net, lifting the underdog Bulldogs to a 2-1 upset in the state quarterfinals and bringing the Knights’ undefeated season to a stunning conclusion.

Organ Mountain had scored 111 goals this season while allowing just three. But on Saturday, the Knights struggled to break through an Albuquerque defense determined to crowd the scoring third and deny the high-powered Organ Mountain attack room to operate.

The challenge grew considerably when Sells scored just 15 minutes into the contest, putting the Knights in the unfamiliar position of playing from behind.

Organ Mountain struggled to generate much offense before intermission, but the second half was a different story. The Knights controlled possession, won nearly every ball in the air and repeatedly pushed into Albuquerque territory. What they couldn't find were clear looks at the goal.

An early second-half corner kick finally created an opportunity when a foul in the penalty area sent senior midfield star Ariyah Vasquez to the penalty spot. Vasquez buried the shot, pulling the Knights even at 1-1.

From there, Organ Mountain kept pressing.

Persephonie Cullins and Giselle Turnbow made repeated runs into the attacking third, while Chloe Robey and Vasquez worked tirelessly to create opportunities, often racing back to help defensively when Albuquerque threatened. Behind them, Mia Dean anchored a relentless Organ Mountain back line that consistently won possession and pushed the ball forward.

The Knights nearly broke through in the closing moments of regulation, but a shot on goal found the Albuquerque keeper, sending the quarterfinal into overtime.

The extra period brought more of the same. Organ Mountain controlled the ball and created chances, including a left-footed rocket from Vasquez that sailed just wide of the post. Another apparent Knights goal was waved off by an offside call.

Then, with the first 10-minute overtime period nearly complete, Albuquerque mounted one of its rare attacks through midfield. Sells found an opening and slotted the ball into the corner of the net, ending the game and a remarkable season in one sudden moment.

Organ Mountain finished 20-1-1, its pursuit of a state championship stopped one victory short of the semifinals despite a season in which the Knights outscored their opponents 112-5.

Albuquerque advanced to Tuesday's semifinals, where the Bulldogs fell to La Cueva 2-0.