Rams drop to 0-5

STAFF WRITER

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The Portales boys soccer team is still searching for its first win of the season. This time, the 4A Portales Rams (0-5) played a close game with the 5A Lovington Wildcats (7-2), but lost 3-2 at Portales High.

The first 60 minutes of the game was basically a carbon copy between the Wildcats and Rams. Marcos Hernandez scored first for Lovington in the 27th minute. He was answered by Portales’ Christian Martinez in the 37th minute of the half.

link Staff photo: Matthew Asher

Portales’ Saul Fernandez, center, grimaces after missing a penalty kick in the second half. Lovington edged Portales 3-2.

In the second half, Hernandez again broke the tie, this time in the 48th minute of the game. Just like before, Martinez scored the equalizer in the 50th minute to knot the game up 2-2.

Then in the 61st minute, Lovington’s Bryden Rodriguez broke the tie with his only goal of the game. Lovington was crossing the ball when a Portales defender deflected it right to Rodriguez who scored what would be the game-winning goal.

Despite the loss, coach Nathan Dodge was impressed with his team.

“That’s the best job we’ve done shooting outside the box this season,” Dodge said. “Need to work on our crossing, but they played a great game.”

Portales had its chance to tie the game late in the second half when they were awarded a penalty kick. Senior Saul Fernandez took the shot but kicked it too high as it missed the goal entirely.

“We’ll always give our seniors that winning chance,” Dodge said. “I have faith in them. This time it didn’t work, but they’ll get it.”

The Rams have a quick turnaround as they have Wednesday off and then head back to the pitch on Thursday to take on Desert Academy. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Portales High School.