Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
RUIDOSO — Clovis High’s girls got an early breakaway goal from senior Madison Lynch and the Lady Wildcats stayed in control, breaking into the win column with a 2-0 neutral-site victory over Socorro on Saturday.
Lynch gained possession from about 40 yards out and moved inside the 18-yard box to beat Lady Warriors junior goalkeeper Chailynn Amaro in the fifth minute. Junior forward Illeana Griego added the second tally shortly after halftime, coming off an assist from forward Nevaeh Coronado.
Saturday’s scheduled boys matchup had been called off earlier in the week.
“I think we played really good soccer,” Lady Cats coach Traci Sievers said. “We started two freshmen (Giselle Romero and Sienna Bueno) in the back line (due to injuries), and they stepped it up for us and played with a lot of confidence.”
Sievers said another freshman, Aspen Ulibarri, also played well for CHS (1-0-1) on defense. “They were playing positions they didn’t play a lot (before),” the coach added.
Senior goalkeeper Hanna Nussbaumer earned the shutout against the Lady Warriors (3-1), making seven saves in the match.
Clovis has a busy road week on tap, visiting District 4-5A foes Carlsbad on Tuesday and Hobbs on Saturday while playing at non-district Moriarty on Thursday.
Meantime, Portales’ boys fell to 0-2 for the young season on Saturday, dropping a 4-0 decision to New Mexico Military in Roswell. The Rams were slated to begin District 4-4A action on Tuesday at Artesia.
Lady Rams improve to 6-0 — District 4-5A has to be happy to have seen the last of Portales for this season.
PHS improved to 6-0, including 5-0 against 4-5A, with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-23 sweep of Hobbs on Saturday night at Hobbs. The Lady Rams will now turn their attention to 4-4A for the rest of the regular season, beginning with a Tuesday matchup at Roswell Goddard.
“We didn’t have a good passing night like we’ve been having,” PHS coach Ruth Chavez said. “But we did some good things.”
Outside hitters Kinzie Davis and Rebekah Courtney each had seven kills for the Lady Rams. Chavez said while the games were close, the Lady Rams led most of the time except for a stretch early in the third set.
PHS completed a season sweep of the Lady Eagles (2-4), having defeated them earlier in the week at the RAC.