Rams top Warriors in opener

The Portales High boys soccer team struggled last fall in Dustin Harden's first season as coach.

They're off to a better start this time around after turning back Ruidoso 1-0 on Saturday in their season opener at the PHS pitch.

Senior Gabriel Duran broke a scoreless tie in the 54th minute, converting a through ball from just inside the 18-yard box, and the Rams managed to hold off the Warriors (1-2) down the stretch.

Both teams had scoring opportunities inside the box, but the defenses got the better of it.

"We really came out to play," Harden said. "It was a defensive battle all day long. The defense was good for both teams."

PHS nearly added an insurance goal later in the half from senior Tony Cordova, but it was erased on an offsides penalty.

Junior Ethan Nahara earned the shutout in goal in his first varsity game for the Rams.

Portales' match at Clovis, scheduled for Tuesday night, was postponed due to an officials shortage and will hopefully be rescheduled. The Rams' next outing is in Taos' two-day, six-team Sangre De Crista tournament, with their first tilt at 1 p.m. on Friday against Santa Fe Prep.

Ruidoso 10, Portales 0 (girls) – It was all Lady Warriors in the first half of the twin bill, but don't feel too bad – Ruidoso (2-0) was coming off a 15-0 drubbing of West Las Vegas in its opening tilt.

"We're definitely still building," said first-year Lady Rams coach Laci Lozoya, whose squad fell to 0-2. "We have this week off, so we're going to be able to go over a lot of things."

Three players did all the damage for Ruidoso, led by freshman Jackeline Segovia with four goals. Meantime, both senior Daniela Castro and freshman Evelyn Medrano recorded hat tricks.

PHS returns to action on Sept. 4 at West Las Vegas, then continues on to Hatch Valley for a tournament the next two days.