Clovis High soccer squads have eyes on state

Clovis High's girls will try to keep their streak going of reaching Class 5A state competition, while the boys are looking for the first trip to state since reaching the semifinals in 2018.

The CHS boys open the 2024 campaign on Monday, hosting Roswell Goddard in a 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Leon Williams Stadium, then travel to Albuquerque for a 6 p.m. tilt on Thursday against Hope Christian. Meantime, the Lady Wildcats are slated to face Centennial on Friday in a 4 p.m. first-round match of an eight-team tournament at Roswell.

Boys – Coach Greg Trujillo enters his 17th season as the Wildcats' coach. Clovis went 7-12-1 a year ago, including 3-3 for second place in District 4-5A.

The Cats went 18-3-1 in 2018 and lost in the state semifinals to Rio Racho Cleveland. After going 11-7-2 in 2019 and 4-4 in the COVID-abbreviated 20-21 campaign, they're out to end a streak of three straight years under. 500.

"We're going to be a lot better this year," said Trujillo, whose squad went 7-12-1 in 2023, including 2-3-1 for second place in District 4-5A. "We went to Albuquerque for a tournament this summer and won all five of our matches.

"We have a lot of guys back, and some new additions. Hopefully, we can stay healthy this season."

Senior Ihab Mesbah knocked in 27 goals last fall. Trujillo noted that Mesbah has taken on more overall responsibility heading into this season.

"He's kind of become a leader on the field," Trujillo said.

Other top seniors back include goalkeeper Angel Avila and defenders Taksh Patel, Jayden Benjamin and Victor Sanchez. Trujillo said sophomore Ryan Worley and freshman Irving Mendoza should help out on the defensive side of things.

"We have to be able to play different styles of soccer," Trujillo said. "When we move the ball quick, it opens up the game for us. If we can adjust, we'll be able to go to three or four different formations that we've been working on."

As usual, Hobbs will be the team to beat. The Eagles were unbeaten in 2023 and rode a strong senior class to the Class 5A state title.

"Hobbs lost a lot of guys (from last season)," said Trujillo, a Hobbs alum. "But they should still be pretty good."

Girls – Coach Ray Rodriguez has made it to the 5A state playoffs in each of his first three seasons. Obviously, the goal this fall is to get past the round-of-16.

To do that, the Lady Cats (13-6-1, 3-3 district last fall) are looking for a number of young players to come along quickly.

"We're going to be young and inexperienced on that backline, and even in goal," Rodriguez said. "But I just think as the season goes on, the girls are going to gain confidence."

The Lady Cats have been ousted in the first round of the 5A playoffs in each of the past three years, including a 5-1 decision last fall at Santa Fe High.

Two of the top returnees from a year ago are senior forward Ava Crain and senior midfielder Natalie Griego. Rodriguez said he expects help from a newcomer in junior forward/midfielder Ava Evans.

"My returning players have gotten better as the years have going by," he said. "We should be solid in the midfield positions. Defensively is where the inexperience is going to show."

He said his team should hold its own in District 4-5A.

"I think we'll be competitive and be in the mix, like we always are," Rodriguez said. "It'll be another tough year in our district."