Two local Las Cruces high school soccer players were selected to the 2024 Fall United Soccer Coaches High School All-American team this week. Centennial senior midfielder Evan Kraenzel was selected for the boys’ team, and Las Cruces senior forward Mia Barela was chosen for the girls’ team on Tuesday. Both played crucial roles in their […]
Two local Las Cruces high school soccer players were selected to the 2024 Fall United Soccer Coaches High School All-American team this week.
Centennial senior midfielder Evan Kraenzel was selected for the boys’ team, and Las Cruces senior forward Mia Barela was chosen for the girls’ team on Tuesday. Both played crucial roles in their teams reaching their respective 5A championship games, with Kraenzel and the Hawks coming out on top in theirs over La Cueva.
More:Centennial boys’ soccer win state championship, Las Cruces girls fall short
Kraenzel finished the 2024 season as Centennial’s top scorer with 23 goals, good for one goal per game for the 22-1 Hawks. He also recorded 11 assists, giving him 34 goal contributions this season.
Barela’s scoring tally was even higher. She finished with 31 goals and 12 assists for the Bulldawgs this season, both of which were team-highs. Barela scored 1.5 goals per game this season and helped 19-3 Las Cruces reach the 5A state championship before falling to La Cueva.
More:New Mexico State football: Potential 2025 transfer portal targets for the Aggies
The USC High School All-America team aims to recognize the best high school soccer players from around the country. Kraenzel and Barela, alongside their fellow All-Americans, will be “recognized for their accomplishments” at the USC All-America Ceremony on Jan. 11, 2025, in Chicago, which will be held in tandem with the USC Convention.
