Lady Cats seek postseason berth

The Clovis High girls soccer team did a lot of things well last season.

One thing the Lady Wildcats were unable to do was make it to postseason play.

Second-year coach Traci Sievers attempted to toughen up the Lady Cats' schedule this season in hopes that it will pay off at tournament selection time.

The Lady Cats went 13-6 last season, but just 1-5 against Class 5A competition and 0-4 in District 4-5A play.

CMI photo: Kevin WilsonClovis senior Jenna Sievers puts a move on Erica Lewis inside the goal box during a Saturday afternoon high school-alumni game at Yucca Middle School.

With road matches against West Mesa, Eldorado and Rio Rancho, Sievers hopes that helps turn the trick.

"They're really looking at your strength-of-schedule," she said. "We know that's where we fell a little short last year.

"We want to advance to the state tournament, but first we want to win our district."

The Lady Cats, who open against Portales on Tuesday at Leon Williams Stadium, have one of the top players in Class 5A in Sievers' daughter, Jenna. Now a senior, she was second in 5A in points last season.

Traci Sievers, though, anticipates her daughter being well-marked in most matches and said scoring will have to come from others.

"We've got our core group coming back," she said. "We had some injuries last year, but we've had some girls come up and earn starting positions."

Senior Michala Ingram returns for a fourth season in goal for the Lady Cats, while senior Melaya Flores is also a fourth-year player who will team with Jenna Sievers at forward, although both will probably play some midfield as well.

"I'm excited," said Ingram, who will be backed up by first-timer Meagan Brady in goal. "We just have to play with confidence."

Ingram said she's looking forward to playing more 5A teams.

"I don't think it's scary," she said. "I just think it's more of a challenge."

Other seniors with experience include forward-midfielders Jazmin Mirabal and Alexis O'Leary, while junior Carrie Sharp and sophomore Ashley Gallagher are also experienced midfielders. Sharp was second on the team in scoring and assists in 2011.

Junior Savannah Dosher should also help at forward, Traci Sievers said, while handling the defense will be junior Danielle O'Leary and sophomores Sarena Garcia, Angelica LeFevre and Daisa Hastings.

The Lady Cats have struggled with district rivals Hobbs and Carlsbad over the years, but believe they can break through.

"I think we've got a good chance in district," Traci Sievers said. "The key is if we can stay healthy during the season and have something left (at the end)."

SCHEDULE

August

21 — Portales, 5 p.m.; 25 — LV Robertson, 1 p.m.; 31 — at Las Cruces tournament.

September

1 — at Las Cruces tournament; 14 — at West Mesa, 4:30 p.m.; 15 — at Eldorado, 11 a.m.; 20 — at Artesia, 6 p.m.; 22 — Roswell Goddard at Yucca, 3 p.m.; 25 — Roswell High, 6 p.m.; 28-29 — at Sandia Prep tournament.

October

2 — at Roswell Goddard, 6 p.m.; 6 — at Rio Rancho, 3 p.m.; 9 — Artesia at Yucca, 6 p.m.; 13 — at Hobbs, 3 p.m.-x; 16 — at Carlsbad, 6 p.m.-x; 20 — Carlsbad, 3 p.m.-x; 27 — Hobbs at Yucca, 3 p.m.

x-Denotes District 4-5A matches.