Cats post win over Portales

Staff report

PORTALES — Once again, Clovis High and Portales High boys soccer teams played well into the match without scoring.

link Staff photo: Joshua Lucero

Clovis High senior midfielder Juan Ramos slides by a Portales defender during Thursday’s boys soccer match in Portales. Ramos scored a pair of goals as the Wildcats edged the Rams 2-1.

This time, though, the Wildcats got two goals six minutes apart from senior midfielder Juan Ramos early in the second half and held on for a 2-1 victory.

Earlier this season, the teams played to a double-overtime, scoreless tie in Clovis.

“The guys played better,” CHS coach Greg Trujillo said. “This time we won the battle in the midfield, and we were able to work the wings a little more and put the ball in the (18-yard) box.”

Ramos converted a pass from junior midfielder Luis Bustamonte to break the scoring ice about four minutes into the second half, then added a goal off a deflection in the box for a 2-0 lead.

“Juan Ramos was just there at the right time,” Trujillo said.

Senior Jose Barron cut the margin in half for the Rams (1-2-1) with about 16 minutes left.

“After they scored, they (Rams) got a little more confident and started going on the attack, but we held on.”

Rams coach Nathan Dodge said his team played reasonably well.

“It was a good soccer match,” he said. “Clovis is a good team.”

Both teams return to action Tuesday. The Rams travel to former district rival Lovington for a 5 p.m. match — preceded by a girls contest at 3 p.m. — while the Cats have a 6 p.m. tilt on tap at Roswell High.