Eagles deal CHS 2-1 setback

CLOVIS - For Clovis High boys soccer coach Greg Trujillo, a matchup against Hobbs perhaps takes on a little more meaning than for most - even considering the longtime rivalry between the schools.

It's a bit tough any time to stomach losing to the Eagles for Trujillo, a Hobbs High graduate. And dropping a 2-1 decision in Saturday's District 4-5A opener for both teams at Leon Williams Stadium certainly wasn't easy.

"It's a tough, tough loss," Trujillo said. "They're a technically-sound team. We knew it was going to be a battle."

Sophomore Ryan Middleton scored both goals for the Eagles (4-1 overall), including the decisive tally with about 25 minutes left in the contest.

Trujillo said the Wildcats (2-1) were dealing with some injuries and thus forced to play a more defensive game to keep the deeper Eagles at bay.

"We had to do that, especially in the first half, to give ourselves a chance," he said. "We've got to suck it up now, but I'm proud our guys went toe-to-toe with them."

Middleton put away a shot which deflected off Cats goalkeeper Kevin Avilia about eight minutes into the match, the first goal of the season against Clovis. Most of the first half was played on Clovis' end of the field, but CHS pulled even midway through the stanza when junior midfielder Jorge Barraza punched one past Hobbs keeper Misael Orona from inside the 18-yard box.

"After that, the boys starting picking it up," Eagles coach Alejandro Chavez said. "It was a tough battle for both teams. Both teams came in hungry."

A last-ditch bid to pull even in the final two minutes came up empty. Orona, a sophomore, made a save on one attempt form close range and another Clovis shot from about 30 yards out sailed over the goal.

The Cats were slated to return to action with a district matchup on Tuesday at Roswell High.

Hobbs 2, Clovis girls 1 - At Hobbs on Saturday, junior forward Dani Rodriguez scored in the 72nd minute and the Lady Eagles held on the hand Clovis its first loss of the season.

Several minutes earlier, senior Madison Lynch pulled the Lady Wildcats (2-1-1, 0-1-0) into a tie, but it didn't last long.

"The first half, we didn't have the wind," CHS girls coach Traci Sievers said. "We tried to make some adjustments, and in the second half we played more our style."

A goal by junior Rozzy Ramsey gave Hobbs (5-1, 1-1) an early lead which held up until the middle of the second half.

The Lady Cats were slated to host Roswell High on Tuesday night.

Lovington roughs up PHS squads - Saturday was a tough one for the Rams and Lady Rams, both of whom suffered 10-0 losses to Lovington in District 4-4A.

In the boys clash at Greyhound Stadium, Portales (0-4, 0-2 district) trailed 3-0 at halftime before the Wildcats broke it wide open. Lovington (5-0, 2-0) has allowed only one goal so far this season.

"Lovington's pretty good," PHS boys coach Ruben Tellez said. "We came out flat in the second half; they scored like three goals in about two minutes."

It's been a rough start to the season for the Rams.

"We've just got to keep our heads up, but I have to give all the credit to Lovington," Tellez said. "They're very good and very physical.

"In fact, I'm going to predict right now that they're going to win state."

At Lovington, the Lady Rams (0-2, 0-2) fell into a 4-0 hole at halftime against the Lady Wildcats (2-3-1, 1-1-0).

PHS girls coach Bonnie Britton said her team is trying to get into a groove after not playing its first matches until last week.

"I saw lots of good things from the girls," she said. "What I liked about the way we played is the girls passed the ball around more.

"Lovington's really the team to beat in the district. Their top players have been (playing) together for a while now."

PHS squads were to resume district play on Tuesday against Roswell Goddard, the boys at Greyhound Stadium and the girls in Roswell.