Jordan Candelaria Gatorade 2022 - 2023: Player of the Year Girls Soccer

“Jordan Candelaria is the most complete player I have come across in my 25 years coaching this game. She sees the game and situations like no other. She’s very calm and collected under pressure, and her ability to play and achieve what she has in this game is outstanding.”

Dave Modica

Head Coach - head coach of Sandia High

Athletic Excellence

The 5-foot-4 senior midfielder scored 26 goals and passed for 15 assists this past season, leading the Matadors (14-6-2) to the Class 5A state tournament quarterfinals. A two-time Class 5A First Team All-State selection, Candelaria participated in the High School All-American Game in December. Ranked as the nation’s No. 151 recruit in the Class of 2023 by PrepSoccer.com, she concluded her prep soccer career with 43 goals and 19 assists.

Academic Achievement

Candelaria has maintained a weighted 4.37 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a national letter of intent to play soccer on scholarship at the University of Cincinnati this fall.

Exemplary Character

Candelaria was one of two Sandia High athletes to attend the invite-only, New Mexico Activities Association’s Student Leadership Advisory Council regional meeting. She has volunteered locally as a tutor for children with cancer, and she has donated her time as a youth soccer coach.

Girls Soccer - New Mexico