Mixed results for Clovis soccer teams

LOVINGTON — Clovis coach Greg Trujillo said his Wildcats dominated the second half against 5A Lovington Saturday, but had nothing to show for it in a scoreless 40 minutes.

“The second half, it was total dominance,” Trujillo said. “We had a chance to score maybe six more, but we were off the mark. The guys were playing the ball all over the field.”

Fortunately, the visiting Wildcats did more than enough in the first 40 minutes, notching all the offense they’d need in a 3-0 win to move over .500.

Elias Ortega assisted on Junior Valdez’ diving header just 6:20 in, then scored in the 10th minute on a free kick that made it 2-0.

The Wildcats rounded out the scoring 13 minutes later, with Cade Jones finding Noel Caldera on the right side.

Lovington (1-8-1) managed just two shots on goal in the contest.

Clovis heads to Portales on Tuesday.

Hobbs blanks CHS girls — In Hobbs, the Wildcats fell in an early hole and had troubles finding their way out shorthanded.

The Eagles (5-1) already led 1-0 on a first-minute goal from Mackenzie Gibson when Isabel Castillo drew a foul in the box from Clovis’ Jasmine Valdez. The result of the play was a red card for Valdez.

“I thought she got ball first,” Clovis coach Traci Sievers said, “but (the official) said she didn’t get the ball at all and just got her legs. It wasn’t one of those malicious plays.”

Castillo buried the 10th-minute penalty shot, and Clovis (4-4) only managed two shots on the day while playing one player short for the final 70 minutes due to the red card.

“We were just in survival mode,” Sievers said. “It’s like we played harder being down. Jasmine’s a captain, she’s a center back. A lot of girls had to step up and play different roles today. I was proud of hte way they came together.”

Valdez will be required to miss Clovis’ next game Tuesday at Artesia. She'll be available when Clovis hosts Portales on Thursday at Leon Williams Stadium.