KIRTLAND – Sydney Smith and Jessenia Garcia, who were among the leading scorers in Class 4A girls soccer last season for Kirtland Central High School, are prepared to take that next step in their academic and athletic careers having both signed letters of intent to join Trinidad State College.

Garcia, who led the Broncos with 30 last season and Smith, who scored 18 of her own, both took part in a signing ceremony surrounded by coaches, teammates and family on Monday, May 15, at Kirtland Central High School.

Garcia was the sixth-leading scorer in the state last year at Class 4A as the Broncos girls soccer team finished with a 15-6-1 overall record, earning second place in District 1-4A with a record of 9-2-1.

Smith scored 18 goals last season and finished sixth in the state in Class 4A among assists leaders with 16.

“Both of them were instrumental to our success as a team last season,” said Kirtland Central girls soccer coach Kiera Smith. “They were both versatile on the field and played where they were needed.”

The Trinidad State Trojans women's soccer team went 4-8 last year under head coach Peter Freeman. That team featured another former Kirtland Central star, Marissa Henry, who scored a pair of goals as a freshman last season.

Freeman, who is in his third year at Trinidad State, played semiprofessional indoor soccer for Real Colorado Edge before taking on coaching duties as an assistant in the men’s program at Adams State University.

Last year’s team was led by Yaddelis Alderete with seven goals. The team competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Region IX, which consists of regional schools such as Lamar Community College and Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs.

“I’m excited for them to continue playing together with a possibility of them playing with (Henry),” said Smith. “Their determination to be successful and ability to lead will be assets to the program at Trinidad State.”