Greyhound soccer signs trio; Zia softball players get recognition

Three players have signed national letters of intent to play men’s soccer at Eastern New Mexico University next fall under coach Carlos Elizondo.

The signees are defenders Robert Brown of Albuquerque (Valley H.S.) and Aram Simsar of Phoenix, and forward Keith Barnhart of Carlsbad. Simsar, a transfer from Phoenix College, will be a junior while the others are freshmen.

Barnhart was the District 4-5A player of the year for the Cavemen last year, and an honorable mention Class 5A all-state selection. Boone was the team captain at Valley for three seasons, earning all-district honors twice, while Simsar helped Phoenix College make a late run to reach the regional playoffs.

As senior at Pinnacle High School, Simsar was a first-team all-region and honorable mention all-state selection.

Zias garner

recognition

RICHARDSON, Texas — Sophomore second baseman Rebecca Quinones has been named the Lone Star Conference South Division’s hitter of the week in softball while junior pitcher Natalie Woodside earned pitcher of the week honors after the Zias (8-3) completed a six-game home sweep against College of the Southwest, New Mexico Highlands and Oklahoma Panhandle State.

Quinones put together a 13-for-17 week at the plate with a 1.294 slugging percentage. She had six doubles, a home run, 12 RBIs and nine runs scored.

Woodside went 3-0 in the circle and was unscored upon in 13 innings, allowing opponents a .174 batting average with 11 strikeouts and one walk. At the plate, she hit .500 for the week with two homers and seven RBIs.