Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
ENMU freshman midfielder Yahir Jimenez battles Adams State senior Frank Angelo Dufitumukiza for possession of the ball during Thursday's men's season-opening soccer match at Steve Loy Family Foundation Stadium. The Greyhounds defeated the Grizzlies 2-0.
When senior forward Nick Huenig found the back of the net less than two minutes in, it looked like the rout might by on for Eastern New Mexico University's men on Thursday night.
Instead, Adams State put up quite a fight and it took a goal by sophomore forward Robin Vandewalle in the closing minutes to secure a 2-0 win in the soccer opener for both teams at newly-named Steve Loy Family Foundation Stadium, formerly Greyhound Stadium.
The Grizzlies entered the contest with a 1-32-2 record under third-year coach Justin Gilfert, including an 0-16 (0-10 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) campaign in 2023 during which they were outscored 56-7. They didn't tally more than one goal in any of their matches.
Vandewalle's goal, coming from about 20 yards out with 2 ½ minute left on an assist from freshman forward Augustine Banhire, finally gave the Hounds some breathing room.
"In the middle of the match there were some decisions that we needed to make better," third-year ENMU coach Brandon Misuraca said. "But overall, it was a good step in the right direction."
Misuraca said the Grizzlies gave a good account of themselves.
"In soccer, you can get a brand new team and flip things around," he said. "They were tough competition."
The German-born Huenig, who led ENMU last season with nine goals, broke free down the middle and beat Adams keeper J.P. Fernandez to the upper right shelf with just 94 seconds gone. Both teams had some chances, but the Hounds generally stayed in control until Vandewalle's tally.
Several Hounds were seeing their first collegiate action.
"It was high-level," said redshirt freshman Yahir Jimenez of Albuquerque (Highland H.S.), who was credited with an assist on Huenig's goal. "It was a lot faster than the high school game.
"We got the quick goal, which was good, and we stayed focused."
Freshman keeper Milo Paci earned the shutout, collecting three saves.
ENMU lost freshman forward Landon Gray late in the first half when he collided with Paci after both went up for a long Grizzlies pass and collided just inside the 18-yard box. Gray stayed down for several minutes before he was carted off on a stretcher and taken to Roosevelt General Hospital for what Misuraca said were concussion-like symptoms.
The competition level figured to step up on Saturday when ENMU hosted 21st-ranked Fort Lewis, the defending Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champion. The Skyhawks routed host Lubbock Christian 5-0 on Thursday.
"We'll be facing tough competition," Jimenez said of the season. "Fort Lewis won the RMAC last year, so it's going to get tougher from here on out."
ENMU 1, Adams State 1 (women) – In the second half of the doubleheader, junior forward Mariana Gonzalez Jimenez scored from outside the 18-yard box in the 53rd minute to pull the Greyhounds into a tie with the Grizzlies in the season opener for both sides.
Adams State went in front in the 35th minutes on a goal by xxx Karlee Caballero. The Grizzlies held a 6-2 advantage for the match in shots on goal.
ENMU freshman keeper Rosie Willmott Joyce of England collected five saves in the match.
It was the team's second consecutive draw. They played to a scoreless tie last year in Alamosa, Colo.
The Hounds returned to action on Saturday against Fort Lewis (0-0-1), which tied LCU 1-1 on Thursday in Lubbock. ENMU hits the road for the first time on Thursday, facing Western Colorado at Gunnison, Colo.
