Cats seeking bounceback campaign

CLOVIS – Reading too much into an alumni game can sometimes be like knowing what to take from an NFL preseason game, most of which are played with primarily backup players.

Still, Clovis High boys soccer coach Greg Trujillo took some positives from the Wildcats' 4-1 win over their alumni last weekend.

"The team looked really good," said Trujillo, entering his 16th year as the Cats' coach. "I thought defensively we'd be a mess, but we were pretty sound."

Clovis started out 3-3 last year, but lost 11 of its final 14 matches to finish 4-14-2 (0-5-1 District 4-5A). Trujillo said the team only lost three starters from last fall, and appears to have better overall chemistry this season.

"The kids are willing to work hard," he said. "They've been very coachable. I'm excited to see how we do against Goddard (in Monday's season opener at Roswell).

"We could be really good. We were close to winning a bunch of games last year. I'm really proud of how our offseason went."

Junior forward Ihab Mesbah scored two of the team's goals against the alums.

"He's put on some weight and added some muscle," Trujillo said. "He kind of had his way (in the scrimmage)."

Others who should help out this season are senior midfielder Chris Wilson, senior goalkeeper Cooper Harriman, second defender Marco Flores, senior defender-midfielder J.J. Madrid, senior forward Drex Carter, junior defenders Taksh Patel and Victor Sanchez, sophomore forward Damian Navarette, sophomore midfielder Felix Hernandez and freshman midfielder Denym Lodge, who started as an eighth-grader.

Added to the mix are sophomore forward-midfielder Julian Salinas, a transfer from San Angelo (Texas), and junior midfielder Luka Mendez, an exchange student from Colombia.

While Trujillo acknowledges the the 4-5A championship goes through four-time champion Hobbs, which is actually his alma mater, he expects district competition to be fierce.

"Hobbs always has talent," said Trujillo, a Hobbs alum. "Carlsbad will be OK, and Roswell (High) will be decent as well. It could be anybody's district."

Meantime, Clovis' girls are coming off a 16-5 campaign (5-1) district that including a first-round Class 5A state tournament loss to La Cueva 1-0 at Leon Williams Stadium on a late Bears goal.

The Lady Wildcats face Las Cruces-based Organ Mountain in a 4 p.m. quarterfinal match on Friday in a season-opening tournament at Roswell. They'll play two more matches on Saturday.

Coach Ray Rodriguez, who has racked up 29 victories in his two seasons at the helm, said the Lady Cats will try to replace graduated scoring leader Kaley Adams (25 goals last year) by committee.

"Between three or four girls, we should be able to compensate for those goals," Rodriguez said. "We've got the players coming in to fill the voids."

Among seniors the team plans to build around is goalkeeper Aja Gonzales.

"She's a wall in the goal," Rodriguez said. "She's always been clutch for us."

Others are midfielder Aspen Ulibarri and defenders Courtney Bradley, Giselle Romero and Marisela Jimenez.

"These girls are in some pretty vital positions," Rodriguez said. "We're going to have some big shoes to fill next season. Our group of seniors gives us some pretty solid leadership."

CHS shared the district title with Hobbs last fall, but lost out in seeding for Class 5A state competition on goal differential. Rodriguez said he's looking for younger players to help provide depth.

"I feel like we should compete," he said of the district race. "Hobbs and Carlsbad have always given us a run, but I feel good about us winning the district as long as we stay healthy."