Cats pull away from Rams

CLOVIS - It took Clovis High's boys more than a half to find the net. Once they did, the Wildcats took off.

CHS scored three goals in a span of just over 10 minutes in the second half on Thursday night and posted a 4-0 victory over Portales High in the season opener for both squads at Yucca Soccer Field.

Junior midfielder Jorge Barraza tallied about 10 minutes into the second half, then added another goal roughly three minutes later, and from there the Cats were in control.

"They (Rams) looked more fit than we did in the first half," Clovis coach Greg Trujillo said. "Our guys were moving around and we had guys out of position."

The Cats had a solid outing on defense, allowing the Rams just two shots on goal - although PHS did have some opportunities where it misfired and left shots wide of the net.

"I told (the team), 'When somebody scores (for the opponent), you can't take it that hard,'" Portales coach Ruben Tellez said. "Clovis played pretty physical; they're well-coached. Right now, our kids are just happy to be back on the field."

Rams junior goalkeeper Brendon Peterson made eight saves, but once the floodgates opened the score quickly got out of hand.

Portales' best scoring opportunity came early in the contest when the Rams got a shot from near the 18-yard box, but CHS keeper Kevin Avilia made a lunging save to keep the match scoreless.

"Once we scored, everybody got in the flow," Clovis senior forward Lupe Meza said. "The first half we were a little sloppy, but we eventually got more possession and took our time."

Trujillo credited Meza for helping steady the ship.

"Lupe settled down and took control of the midfield," he said. "He essentially was our quarterback tonight."

Freshman midfielder Drex Carter and senior midfielder Grant Palla had the final two goals for the Cats. Palla also notched an assist on Barraza's first tally.

Meza agreed with his coach that the Cats need a bit more conditioning.

"I believe we just need to get a little more fit," he said. "And we need to (communicate) more on the field."

Both teams had their scheduled season openers called off - the Cats at home against Lovington last weekend, and the Rams at Ruidoso on Tuesday. Clovis still hopes to reschedule its match, while PHS will now take on New Mexico Military in place of Ruidoso in a 1 p.m. start on Saturday in Roswell.

The Cats' next outing is their District 4-5A opener at 6 p.m. on Tuesday against Carlsbad at Leon Williams Stadium.

"Last year, we didn't really have a good game against them," Meza said of the Cavemen. "Hopefully, this year will be different."