Portales stays undefeated with OT win against Clovis

STAFF WRITER

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Last season in the two matches between Portales and Clovis boys soccer, the Wildcats swept the series, scoring 15 total goals and shut out the Rams in both games. When the two teams met in Clovis Tuesday, the Rams were determined to not have a repeat performance and went on to win 2-1 in overtime.

Portales (6-0) drew first blood in the match when Junior Salomon received an assist from fellow senior Freddy Exiga to go up 1-0 in the 30th minute.

“That was rough because we could have put the game away early in the first half,” Clovis coach Greg Trujillo said. “We started really well moving the ball around and had six opportunities to put the ball in before that goal.”

Clovis (4-4) would tie the game with 18 minutes left in regulation when Elias Ortega netted the Wildcats lone goal of the match.

“We were under attack until that goal and finally got the momentum back after that equalizer,” Trujillo said.

In overtime, Portales had control of the ball for nearly the entire time as the Rams needed about three minutes to finish off the Wildcats.

“We chose to keep the ball,” Dodge said. “Clovis chose the wind. They didn’t even really possess the ball. We had it most of the three minutes. We got a good through ball to Junior. The keeper came out and got a hand on it. Junior tried to punch it by him. The keeper hit it but it didn’t go out of bounds. Junior got the ball near the flag (corner kick area), he turned to find little Jesus (Chavez). Junior crossed the ball and Jesus headed it in for the win.”

“I saw the play happen in slow motion,” Chavez said of his winning score. “I called for the ball and Junior got it to me.”

The goal was made a little easier for Portales as Clovis had to deal with an injured defender and co-captain, Carl Michael, to start off overtime.

“I put Javier Todd, a midfielder, in for Carl Michael,” Trujillo said. “I should have put a defender in. The goal was a blur because I was focusing on trying to get Carl Michael back in (the game). I look up (at the field) and I see the ball in the net.”

While it’s always rough to lose a game in overtime, Trujillo knew this would not be an easy match.

“I expected a tough game,” Trujillo said. “Portales has a decent team this year. We scrimmaged them this summer and they were good.”

Although Salomon took part in both Rams goals, he was far from the only player Dodge was impressed with during the match.

“Pedro (Perea)’s been huge in the middle,” Dodge said. “He and Freddy work well together. They control the middle which is huge. Little Jesus Chavez is only a freshman but he’s been playing big time. He’s bought into taking it down the edge. He passes well from both sides. He’s a little dude but he’ll go in there to get a header. Also, Julian (Tellez) and Micah (Viera) did a great job defensively. Clovis has a speedster in (Elias Ortega) and they shut him down. Great job.”

Portales hits the road today to face the Roswell Coyotes (7-1), while Clovis stays at home and will host Eldorado (3-4) on Tuesday.