Alamo blanks Cats 2-0

It's been quite a dry spell for Alamogordo in boys soccer, but it may be coming to an end.

CMI photo: Kevin WilsonAlamogordo defender Daniel Samora, left, tries to hold off Clovis forward Saul Blanco during the first half of Saturday's boys soccer matchup at Yucca Complex. The Tigers defeated the Wildcats 2-0.

The Tigers completed a successful weekend on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Clovis High at Yucca Complex, their second win in less than 24 hours.

Eighth-year coach Jason Atkinson said his team lost in the Class 5A state semifinals in his first season at the helm, but has struggled since. The Tigers (2-1), who beat Deming in overtime on Friday night at home, followed up winless seasons in 2009 and 2010 with a 3-17 mark last year.

"We have some areas where I feel we can improve," Atkinson said, "but I feel very good. The boys have responded well."

Atkinson said he expects a tough turnaround when the Tigers host CHS next Wednesday — a day after playing at Roswell High.

"I expect we'll have a real test against them at home," he aid. "They certainly have some good players."

The Cats (0-2), who were blanked 2-0 on Tuesday at Roswell High, never could put much together. With the Yucca scoreboard not in operation, they weren't sure exactly how much time was left to make a comeback after goals by junior forward Seth Reynolds and freshman midfielder Will Wagner staked Alamo to a 2-0 halftime lead.

"They came off an overtime win last night, but they were fresh and we looked like the tired team," CHS coach Greg Trujillo said. "We completely lost the battle in the midfield, and that's where games are decided. There was no communication, and our transition from offense to defense wasn't good."

Reynolds scored in the 16th minute when he intercepted a pass near the top of the box and easily beat Cats goalkeeper James Smart with a shot to the upper right corner. Wagner got his goal breaking down the middle and lofting a shot over Smart's head.

The lead allowed the Tigers to play a bit more conservatively after halftime.

"We were just a little cautious," Atkinson said. "Our goal was just to keep (the Cats) in front of us."

Trujillo, who said the Cats were without regulars Christian Hernandez and Joshua Otero for disciplinary reasons, is hoping for a better effort on Wednesday. He hopes to have both players back as well.

"That might've affected our outlook," Trujillo said. "We really didn't click today. We got outhustled, it's that simple."

After Wednesday's match, the Cats travel to Los Alamos for an eight-team tournament next weekend. They open at 9 a.m. on Friday against Roswell Goddard.