Los Alamos Hilltoppers go undefeated, win second straight state title in overtime
Los Alamos Hilltoppers defeated El Paso 2-1 in sudden-death overtime in Santa Fe on March 1, 2026, completing an undefeated state tournament and securing a second straight title.
The Los Alamos Hilltopper varsity hockey team clinched its second consecutive state championship on March 1, 2026, beating El Paso 2-1 in sudden-death overtime in Santa Fe and finishing the state tournament undefeated. Regulation ended tied 1-1 before the overtime winner sent players and fans into celebration, completing a tournament run in which Los Alamos was the only team to remain unbeaten.
Los Alamos Reporter, in a dispatch credited to 18U LAHA team manager Trish Alley, noted the dramatic finish and the Hilltoppers’ undefeated status: “The Hilltoppers capped off an extraordinary tournament run by finishing undefeated — the only team to do so, and sealing the title with a thrilling overtime goal that sent players and fans into celebration.” The Reporter also framed the win in season terms, offering a congratulatory line to the “2025-2026 State champions!!”
Head coach Lyle Grove led the roster and coaching staff that took the ice in Santa Fe. Assistant coaches listed alongside Grove are Greg Casados, John Dunwoody, and Justin Paschke, and the team manager credited in the roster is Trish Alley. The published roster names William Nettleton, Jaxon Kelley, Rowan Mowrer, David Vargas, Luke Johnson, Aiden Stow, Milo Naes, Angus Smith, Thomas DeVargas, Lance Metcalf, Landyn Cisneros, Colton Berg, and Aiden Alley, with Knox DeGroot identified as the goalie in the front row of a courtesy photo accompanying the Los Alamos Reporter piece.
Local coverage of the title mirrored the same core facts. The Los Alamos Daily Post’s Sports & Rec section led with “SANTA FE —” and summarized the 2-1 sudden-death overtime outcome, while the Daily Post page lists regular Topper beat reporters John McHale, Mike Cote, and Nate Limback among its sports staff. A social media post excerpted in the notes celebrated the squad’s path to state: “You worked your tails off and battled your way back ❌❌❌ #statebound ... Congratulations to the Boys Hockey team, Section 4A CHAMPIONS!!!” which documents the team’s earlier Section 4A milestone en route to state.
The win cements the Hilltoppers’ status at the top of the 2025-2026 season in New Mexico youth hockey and returns the championship banner to Los Alamos for a second straight year. The roster and courtesy photo published with the Los Alamos Reporter item provide the names and faces of the players and staff who delivered the 2-1 overtime victory in Santa Fe.
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