Cats earn district win over Cavemen

CLOVIS - After playing four matches in nearly 17 months, Clovis High's soccer boys will play that many in essentially a week's time.

It started on Saturday with a District 4-5A contest against Carlsbad at Leon Williams Stadium - a 2-0 victory for the Wildcats.

Clovis (3-2, 1-2 district) visits Hobbs on Tuesday and Carlsbad on Thursday before finishing the regular season at home against Roswell High on Saturday, and the Cats need to string some wins if they hope to make the eight-team Class 5A state tournament the following week.

"We have to keep it going," CHS boys coach Greg Trujillo said. "Hopefully, we can get a (positive) result on Tuesday at Hobbs."

Senior forward Lupe Meza put the Cats on the board in the final minute of the half, and junior midfielder Jorge Barraza all but locked it up with a tally late in the second half.

"I think we could've had a lot more goals," Barraza said. "We were on their side a lot, but we just couldn't finish up."

Actually, one goal may have seemed secure against a young Carlsbad squad whose 17-man roster includes only two seniors and one junior. The Cavemen (0-7, 0-2) have managed just two goals all season.

Barraza said it was good to get the insurance tally.

"With a one-goal difference, they could equalize at any time," he said. "I think if we can keep the energy we had today, we can definitely get some more wins."

Clovis girls 2, Roswell High 0 (Tuesday) - If you didn't know any better, you might think Lady Wildcats senior Madison Lynch has a flare for the dramatic.

Lynch scored both of the team's goals in a district shutout of Roswell High at Leon Williams Stadium - one in the second-to-last minute of the half, the other in the second-to-last minute of the match.

CHS girls coach Traci Sievers said the Lady Cats (3-1-1, 1-1 district), playing their home opener, were just happy to not have to get on that big yellow bus after playing four away from home to start the campaign.

"The girls were excited to play at home," she said. "Having parents and friends in the stands really helps."

Senior goalkeeper Hanna Nussbaumer earned the shutout, turning away four shots from the Lady Coyotes (2-1-2, 1-1). Meantime, Clovis put 10 shots on goal against Roswell High senior keeper Maricela Rodriguez.

"We had a lot of other chances," Sievers said. "It (goals) just didn't happen.

"(Rodriguez is) pretty good. Last year, I think we had about 20 shots against her and didn't score a goal."

Roswell High 3, Clovis boys 1 - At Roswell, junior midfielder Bruno Ramos scored twice and the host Coyotes posted a 4-5A victory over the Wildcats.

Bruno put Roswell High (2-1-2, 2-0) on the board in the 20th minute before adding an insurance tally with about five minutes to play.

The Coyotes outshot the Cats on goal 16-6. Trujillo said his team has been nursing some injuries and didn't play with a lot of energy.

"We looked like a very tired team," he said. "We were really flat, and we made two crucial mistakes (on defense)."

Barraza pulled the Cats even with a goal late in the half off an assist from junior midfielder Julian Deleon. The Coyotes went back in front on a goal by Miguel Alvarado about five minutes into the second half.

Goddard tops PHS squads - Portales' soccer squads remained winless for the season on Tuesday, although the boys gave Roswell Goddard a good battle on the road in a 2-1 District 4-4A setback.

Meantime at Greyhound Stadium, the Lady Rams were blitzed by Goddard 9-0, including eight goals in the first half of the contest.

No other details were available at press time.

Portales was scheduled for 11 a.m. district clashes on Saturday against Artesia - boys at home, girls on the road.