LOCAL 10-29-21 Cavegirl Soccer Cavegirls vs Volcano Vista in state quarter-final By Don Eskins After posting a glittering 18-2 record, and capturing their third consecutive District 4A title along the way,
the Cavegirls are set to host Volcano Vistain quarter-final round action of the Class 5A New Mexico State Soccer Championship Tournament on Saturday afternoon. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Ralph Bowyer Caveman Stadium. Carlsbad, this year's defending state champion, drew a number two seed from the NMAA selection committee for this year's state playoffs. "It's a good seed and we're happy to have it," said Cavegirl head coach Misty Long. "We've been hoping all season long to get a top four seed. That means that if we take care of business we'll be able to host, not only this week's quarter-final round game with Volcano Vista, but also a semi-final round game on Tuesday (Nov. 2) next week. "The Volcano Vista Hawks entered this year's tournament as the No. 7 seed. On Tuesday, Oct. 26, the Hawks defeated the 10th seeded Clovis Wildcats 4-1, in first round action of this year's tournament, for the right to advance on to Saturday's quarter-final matchup with the Cavegirls. The Hawks, and Cavegirls, will both enter the quarter-final match having already registered impressive wins over the 8th seeded Rio Rancho Rams and 3rd seeded La Cueva Bears during the regular season. The Cavegirls have also beaten the 4th seeded Hobbs Eagles while the Hawks, in their final game of the season, downed this year's top seeded Cibola Cougars. While Volcano Vista has proven themselves to be capable of winning big games, as have the Cavegirls, Long says they've been getting ready for the Hawks in the same manner they've prepared for games all year. "We didn't play Volcano Vista this year but we have in the past," said the Cavegirl coach. "So we do know a little bit about them. We also know that they've had a very good year, just beaten Clovis, and will be ready to play when they get off the bus. ""But in preparation for the Hawks, we've been focusing more on us and what we do," she said. "If we can just go out, and play our game against Volcano Vista, I think our girls will be in good shape."
Once again, the Cavegirls will be looking to seniors Alexa Dugan, Jessica Munro, Marley Suggs and Grace Aragon for leadership on the field. "Getting to compete in the state playoffs at home is always special," said the Cavegirl coach. "For this year's seniors, in their final year as a Cavegirl, it will be even more so. ""We couldn't have gotten here without them. They've been our leaders all year long and we'll be looking toward them again on Saturday," she said. "They're a very confident group of young girls and I know they're looking forward to this week's challenge with Volcano Vista. "A win over the Hawks would move the Cavegirls on to Tuesday's semi-final round where they would play host to the winner of the La Cueva vs Centennial quarter final game. 2021 Tournament Seedings: 1. Cibola 14-2-1, 2. Carlsbad 18-2, 3. La Cueva 15-2-1, 4. Hobbs 15-2-1, 5. Santa Fe 19-1, 6. Centennial 16-2-1, 7. Volcano Vista 11-5-1, 8. Rio Rancho 12-7-1. 9. Eldorado 10-5-3, 10. Clovis 13-4-1, 11. Albuquerque High 11-6 and 12. Las Cruces 14-6.District 4A StandingsTeamDistrictSeasonCarlsbad4-218-2-0Hobbs4-2 15-2-1Clovis3-3 13-4-1Roswell1-510-10-0The Cavegirls won this year's district title via a head-to-head tiebreaker. In their two district games with Hobbs the Cavegirls scored five goals while the Eagles scored four. (Game 1: Carlsbad 4, Hobbs 1) (Game 2: Carlsbad 1, Hobbs 3)
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