Cats notch victory over Del Norte

ALBUQUERQUE – Clovis High’s boys kept winning on Saturday, but veteran CHS coach Greg Trujillo is a bit concerned with District 4-5A competition about ready to begin.

Senior forward Ihab Mesbah had two goals and an assist and junior forward/midfielder Julien Salinas delivered a pair of assists as the Wildcats topped Del Norte 4-2, improving to 10-2 for the season with their sixth consecutive victory.

“It was a sloppy game on our part,” Trujillo said. “We didn’t take care of the ball and retain possession.

“We couldn’t connect our passes that well. It was an ugly win.”

The Cats opened a 3-1 lead late in the half when Mesbah scored on an assist from Julien and then worked a give-and-go with freshman midfielder/defender Irving Mendoza with about five minutes left in the half.

Freshman forward Omar Lara Crespo brought the Knights (4-4-2) back within a goal by striking just before halftime, and it wasn’t until Mesbah added his second tally about midway through the second stanza that the Cats had some breathing room.

Junior forward Jose Herrera put the Cats on top in the sixth minute of the contest, but Del Norte tied it on a goal from freshman forward Yorman Garcia.

CHS outshot the Knights 8-4 on goal, and posted a 9-3 margin in corner kicks.

Clovis travels to Taos on Saturday, then hosts Carlsbad in the District 4-5A opener next Tuesday.

Lady Cats’ match rescheduled – Clovis High’s Saturday home girls match against Centennial, which was postponed due to the prospect of inclement weather, has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. this Saturday at Leon Williams Stadium, CHS athletic director Lonnie Baca announced on Monday.

The Lady Cats bring a 4-7-2 record into the match after outlasting Roswell Goddard 4-3 on Thursday at Leon Williams Stadium.

The Hawks (6-3) are currently on a four-match winning streak, edging Chaparral 1-0 in their most recent outing on Sept. 17.