Own goal helps Cats post victory over NMMI 3-2

CLOVIS — It’s not the way you’d like to win, but Clovis High’s boys will take it.

The Wildcats took advantage of an own-goal by New Mexico Military with about eight minutes left to edge the Colts 3-2 on Tuesday night at Leon Williams Stadium.

Sophomores Ihab Mesbah and Angel Nunez scored for the Cats in the first half, which ended in a 2-2 tie.

“We defended OK, but they outshot us,” CHS coach Greg Trujillo said. “We created a few scoring opportunities, and the ones we had, we scored.”

NMMI (0-2) outshot the Cats on goal 10-3 and had a 6-2 margin in corner kicks. Senior D.J. Maldonado made eight saves in goal for Clovis.

The Cats returned to action on Friday night against Mayfield at Leon Williams Stadium, then traveled to Lovington on Saturday. Their next outing comes on Tuesday at Cibola.

Lady Wildcats cruise again — The CHS girls soccer team made it six in a row on Tuesday, winning at Lovington 4-0.

Senior midfielder Caley Adams posted a hat trick for Clovis (6-1), including the final goal of the match on about a 25-yard free kick in the second half. The Lady Cats led just 1-0 at halftime.

“I think we were kind of sloppy in the first half,” CHS coach Ray Rodriguez said. “We probably should’ve been up 4-0, but we blew so many opportunities.”

The Lady Cats were better in the second stanza, Rodriguez said. Junior Alexia Eilenstine added the other goal for Clovis, coming on an assist from senior Madison Williams.

The Lady Cats posted a 24-0 margin in shots on goal against Lovington, and racked up an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks.

The competition figured to be much tougher over the weekend in Las Cruces, with the Lady Cats facing Las Cruces High on Friday night and Organ Mountain on Saturday.

Clovis has back-to-back home outings this week, taking on Alamogordo at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and welcoming Roswell Goddard for a 6 p.m. clash on Thursday at Leon Williams Stadium.

Lady Rams fall — Portales High’s girls fell to 0-2 for the season on Thursday absorbing a 10-0 loss at Alamogordo.

The boys matchup was canceled due to a scheduling conflict for the Tigers, Rams coach Ruben Tellez said. Instead, the boys played a junior varsity match which ended in a 1-1 tie.

Both PHS squads were slated to host Santa Fe-based Academy of Technology & The Classics on Saturday. The Rams and Lady Rams are slated the host Alamo on Tuesday, with the girls match first at 3 p.m.