Senior Angel Acosta (Kirtland Central Boys Soccer)

Athlete of the Week: Angel Acosta (Kirtland Central Boys Soccer)
By Wally D

KIRTLAND — When it comes to momentum-shifting performances, few stand out quite like what Kirtland Central’s senior forward Angel Acosta delivered last week. In back-to-back district victories over Miyamura and Aztec, Acosta recorded consecutive hat tricks, leading the Broncos to dominant wins and helping them climb to a 3-1 record, tied atop the district standings with five games to play.

For his efforts, Acosta has been named the Athlete of the Week.

“Angel’s doing great right now,” said Head Coach Jared Kimball. “He’s got excellent skill on the ball, quickness that most kids just don’t have, and he’s a big threat for any team we face.”

Coach Kimball, who’s watched Angel progress through the program since eighth grade, says this senior season is Acosta at his absolute best. “He’s always had the speed and quickness, but his dribbling and finishing have really improved this year,” Kimball explained. “This is definitely the best I’ve seen him play.”

Acosta’s presence on the field isn’t just about goals — it’s about leadership. “He’s a huge impact player. We all look to him to score those goals, and when he’s on form, it gives the whole team a lot of confidence,” Kimball noted.

It’s not just natural talent that sets Angel apart — it’s his dedication. “His work ethic is unparalleled. He stays after practice to work on his dribbling, his shooting, his finishing. In games, he’s always hunting for the ball. If it pops loose, he’s gone — off to the races.”

Because of his success, teams have begun focusing their defensive efforts on stopping Acosta, which has opened up new tactical opportunities for KC’s attack. “Angel’s always been our go-to, so we’re developing other threats. Teams try to mark him tightly, and that creates space for other players. It’s opened up our playbook a bit more.”

Acosta has also stepped into a more vocal and mature leadership role this season. “He brings intensity to practice and the locker room. The younger guys listen when he talks. He’s really matured, and now he’s helping lift his teammates up,” Kimball said.

With the Broncos eyeing a potential district title run, Angel’s motivation has never been higher. “Being a senior, he’s driven to make this count. He’s working hard to elevate the entire team.”

One standout moment that defined his season? Coach Kimball didn’t hesitate: “When he got that first and second goal against Miyamura, it took us from neck-and-neck to completely dominating. You could feel the shift — the team just took off after that.”

Angel Acosta’s name might be on the stat sheet, but his impact is far bigger than the goals. He’s the kind of student-athlete who inspires a program, builds momentum, and leads by example.

Congratulations to Angel Acosta, this week’s Athlete of the Week — and a name to keep watching as the district race heats up.

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