Navajo Prep Girls Soccer Wins First Tournament in 3 Years

When Katayan Ameri took over Navajo Prep's girls soccer program in 2024, her team didn't win a single game all season. On Saturday in Rehoboth, New Mexico, her Lady Eagles hoisted a consolation championship trophy after beating Rehoboth Christian School 1-0.

The victory marks a dramatic turnaround for a program that went 0-19 in Ameri's first year and 2-17 in her second season. Now just five games into their third year, the Lady Eagles stand at 2-1-2 and have already matched last season's entire win total.

"This is my third season, and this is the highest that we've finished since I've coached," Ameri said after the tournament. "I can't even tell you my emotions right now."

The eight-team Rehoboth tournament gave Navajo Prep a chance to compete against multiple opponents in a short time frame. The Lady Eagles earned fifth place, their best tournament finish under Ameri's leadership.

Ameri was quick to share credit with her assistant coach, Winter Freeman. "She has been an asset to this team," Ameri said. "She's a big reason for our success."

The coach emphasized that the victory belonged to everyone involved with the program. "This is not just a one-person win," she added. "This is a team win all the way around with the coaches and managers included."

Why This Inspires

This story shows what patience and persistence can build. In a world obsessed with instant success, Ameri and her players stuck with a program that delivered zero wins in year one. They showed up, practiced, and believed that improvement would come. Three years later, they're celebrating tournament championships and carrying momentum into the rest of their season. Their journey reminds us that meaningful progress rarely happens overnight, and that celebrating growth matters just as much as celebrating championships.

For the players who endured those winless seasons, Saturday's trophy represents something bigger than fifth place at a tournament. It's proof that their commitment mattered.