Trojans overpower Lady Cats

CNJ staff photo: Eric Kluth/Clovis freshman defender Kela Williams traps a ball during Friday’s game against Mayfield at the Yucca Soccer Complex.

Tony Parra

Freedom Newspapers

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The Clovis Lady Wildcats defense was bending and not breaking until the Las Cruces Mayfield Lady Trojans broke through with four goals in the second half en route to a 5-1 victory on Friday at Yucca Soccer Complex.

Clovis scored its goal when Sara Esquivel scored on a rebound of a hard shot by Amanda Davis in the second half.

“It was one of those things were we tried to maintain the situation and not give up a goal,” Clovis coach Larry Jones said. “We were bending but not breaking. Then we gave up the goal. They peppered our goal keeper a lot.”

Mayfield Jessica Stewart scored the game’s first goal with 10 minutes left in the first half. Mayfield spent most of the first half on the offensive end and outshot Clovis 12 to 4. Clovis senior Jessica Doss stopped seven of the eight shots on net and two other shots sailed over the goal.

“It was a sloppy first half,” Mayfield coach Kris Vaudrey said. “We went back and forth. It was tough for our girls because I think there were still some effects from the six-hour drive up here.”

Defense kept the Lady Wildcats (1-8) within striking distance in the first half, but they eventually wore down. The Lady Trojans scored less than 2:10 minutes into the second half when Brandie Sanchez struck the ball past Doss into the left side of the net.

“They scored quickly in the second half,” Jones said. “I told the girls we have to be more aggressive than some of the other teams and at times that allowed them opportunities to score.”

Mayfield earned four scoring chances inside the first 2:10 minutes of the second half. Doss stopped another breakaway opportunity from Cherokee Alvarado shortly after Mayfield’s second goal of the game. Erica Granado tallied a goal on a breakaway and nailed the soccer ball over Doss’ left shoulder to push the lead to 3-1.

Clovis did not have many scoring opportunities during the game. They were outshot 25-6 in the game. The Lady Wildcats had only two shots in the second half.

“They were aggressive and they applied pressure on us,” Vaudrey said. “We normally don’t see that. Most of the teams we play allow us to get our passing game going. Number three (Kela Williams) for Clovis was very aggressive and their goal keeper made some key saves.”

“The girls played hard,” Jones said about his Lady Wildcats. “We got a boost from the goal we scored. We don’t have the numbers and I think we got tired in the second half. That’s what caused some of the breakdowns.”