Lady Rams rebuilding on defense

The Portales Lady Rams return a lot on offense, but not that much on defense this season.

CMI photo: Joshua LuceroLady Rams goalkeeper Yessenia Ramirez, a junior, blocks a shot on goal during Friday's practice session. The Lady Rams open the season on Tuesday at Clovis.

PHS, under second-year coach Megan Wilson, opens its 2012 season on Tuesday at Clovis.

"We're really trying to rebuild the defense, but we have a lot of good girls out to fill those spots," said Wilson, a former Eastern New Mexico University soccer player. "We have a good senior class."

Brynn Roberts, the team's leading scorer in 2011, has moved to Oklahoma. Roberts was heading into her junior year.

Senior Shalyn Bond, who played in the midfield last season, is dropping to a defender position to try to help the backline.

"I think it's going to be a challenge," said Bond, who has played midfield since she was in eighth grade. "But I think we'll have a good team. It's just a little different, but I think we'll be OK."

Bond, who scored three goals and had a number of assists last year, said it'll be an adjustment not being on the attack as much.

CMI photo: Joshua LuceroPortales Lady Rams assistant soccer coach Sarah Spencer talks to the team's goalkeepers before a shooting drill during Friday's practice session.

"I'll miss it," she said. "Midfield is all about passing and assisting and you get the opportunity to score, but you need good defense to win games, too."

Other returning regulars for the Lady Rams include seniors Alma Gonzales and Kaitlin Garrett in the midfield, senior Hannah Christensen and junior Damari Jimenez at forward and sophomore Chelsea Lopez in midfield.

With the inexperience on defense, Wilson is hoping her team will be solid on offense.

"Hopefully, we can take advantage of our (scoring) opportunities," she said.

The Lady Rams were disappointed they didn't get out of District 2-1A-3A play and into the postseason last year.

"That's definitely our goal," Wilson said. "We're just definitely in a tough district. We lost a lot of close ones last year."

Newcomers will be counted on, Bond said.

"We have a lot of eighth-graders, freshmen and sophomores this year," she said. "We're not as experienced as before, but we're working pretty hard and improving every day.

"It's more of a learning process right now."

SCHEDULE

August

21 — at Clovis, 5 p.m.; 24-25 — at Roswell tournament.

September

4 — at Roswell Goddard, 5 p.m.; 8 — at East Mountain, 11 a.m.-x; 13 — at Roswell High, 5 p.m.; 15 — St. Michael's, noon-x; 18 — Hobbs, 5 p.m.; 21 — at Monte del Sol, 4 p.m.-x; 22 — at Desert Academy, 1 p.m.-x; 27 — at Artesia, 6 p.m.

October

6 — Desert Academy, 3 p.m.-x; 9 — East Mountain, 5 p.m.-x; 13 — Santa Fe Prep, 3 p.m.-x; 19 — at Sante Fe Prep, 3 p.m.-x; 20 — at St. Michael's, 2 p.m.-x; 23 — Las Vegas Robertson, 3 p.m.; 25 — Monte del Sol, noon-x.

x-Denotes District 2-1A/3A match.