PICTURED: The Bulldog soccer team celebrates its 2-1 overtime win over Goddard Saturday at The Mack.
(Photo Courtesy Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)
BULLDOG FOOTBALL
The Bulldog football team stayed perfect in district play with a big win over Santa Teresa Thursday on the road.
BULLDOG SOCCER
PICTURED: Joshua Vazquez sends a successful PK toward the net Saturday at The Mack.
(Photo Courtesy Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)
It was another big week for the Bulldog soccer team, as the squad closed out Round One of District 4-AAAA play with a pair of wins that kept their D4 title hopes alive.
On Tuesday in Portales, the 'Dogs evened their district record with a 7-0 victory over the Rams. That contest saw junior Moises Corza post two goals, with seniors Alex Madrid, Zane Baize and Luis Torres, junior Damian Lopez, and sophomore Joshua Vazquez contributing one apiece. Torres, Corza, senior Damian Perches and sophomore Samuel Nielson all had assists, and senior keeper Sebastian Gonzalez logged five saves.
Saturday brought a high-stakes D4 showdown against Goddard to The Mack, with the Bulldogs rising to the challenge in dramatic fashion.
The Rockets were able to take a 1-0 lead into the break, and that would hold through the majority of the second half as well. With time running out in regulation, however, Artesia earned a penalty kick, and Vazquez stepped up to send the ball low past the Goddard keeper to tie things up and ultimately force overtime.
The 'Dogs very nearly ended the game late in 1-OT when the Rocket GK was caught out of the net, but the GHS defense was able to protect the goal before a final shot sailed just outside the near post. As the final moments of the first session ticked away, however, the ball deflected off a Rocket defender to junior Adan Rojas, who set himself up 10 yards outside the box before firing a perfect shot past the leaping Goddard goalie and into the top corner of the net.
With the pair of wins the Bulldogs improved to 12-3 on the season, 2-1 in district play, as they prepare to kick off D4 Round Two. Lovington is currently in the lead in the district at 3-0, and the boys in orange will need a victory over the Wildcats in their 6 p.m. (JV: 4 p.m.) meeting Thursday, Oct. 10, in 'Cat Country. Artesia will take a break from district action at 3 p.m. (JV: 1 p.m.) Saturday, Oct. 12, to host Miyamura at The Mack.
LADY BULLDOG SOCCER
PICTURED: Paw Moms and parents of the Lady Bulldog soccer team surprised the athletes with "Fathead" signs prior to the start of district play.
(Photo Courtesy Artesia Girls' Soccer Boosters)
The Lady Bulldog soccer team kept its District 4-AAAA record perfect at 2-0 this week with a win over Portales on the road.
The Artesia girls headed to Ram Country Thursday for a bout against the Ramettes that saw the two squads tied 1-all at the half. The Lady 'Dog offense came out on fire for the final 40 minutes of action, however, posting three goals while the defense held Portales scoreless en route to the 4-1 victory.
The Lady Bulldogs (10-3-2) will both end Round One of district play and kick off Round Two this week, as they host Goddard at 6 p.m. (JV: 4 p.m.) Monday, Oct. 7, at The Mack before travelling to Lovington for a noon contest (JV: 10 a.m.) against the Lady Wildcats Saturday, Oct. 12. Artesia and Goddard both stand at 2-0 in D4 play and Portales and Lovington at 0-2.
BULLDOG VOLLEYBALL
PICTURED: The Bulldog volleyball team shows off its pink breast cancer awareness jerseys prior to its match against Roswell Tuesday in Roswell.
(Photo Courtesy Artesia Volleyball)
The Bulldog volleyball team (7-7) had a busy week this week with some mixed results against tough competition.
On Tuesday, the 'Dogs headed to Roswell High, where they came up short against the Class 5A Coyotes in straight sets, 16-25, 23-25 and 10-25. They'd rebound on Thursday against another tough 5A opponent, however, taking down Clovis in four games on the road, 25-13, 25-16, 23-25, 25-22.
There'd be no rest for the weary, as the Bulldogs headed straight back to Roswell Friday for tournament action. Their District 4-AAAA preview there didn't go as hoped, as Artesia fell to Portales in bracket play before also falling to Goddard in three, 22-25, 13-25, 14-25.
The road warrior Bulldogs will now return home for the first time since Sept. 14, competing twice on their home court this week. In the first match at 6:30 p.m. (JV "B": 4:30 p.m.; JV "A": 5:30 p.m.) Tuesday, Oct. 8, the 'Dogs will be asking their fans to help raise funds for their opponent, Ruidoso, following the recent devastating wildfires in the mountain community. Half the proceeds from concession sales and a gift-card raffle to be held at the game will be donated to the Ruidoso Warrior Booster Club. Artesia will then host Class 5A Hobbs at 6:30 p.m. (JV: 5:30 p.m.) Thursday, Oct. 10.
AHS CROSS COUNTRY
PICTURED: Artesia High School cross country runners prepare for the Coach Mo and Marquise' Weast Twilight meet Friday at Jaycee Park.
(Photo Courtesy Artesia Cross Country)
The Artesia cross country teams hosted their lone home meet of the season Friday at Jaycee Park, honoring a late coach and Lady Bulldog athlete with the Coach Mo [Marcos Morillon] and Marquise' Weast Twilight meet.
The unique evening meet featured mild temperatures and a tailgate fundraiser, with the Lady 'Dogs and Bulldogs turning in solid results against some tough competition.
The girls' varsity finished fourth overall in the meet behind Clovis; Hereford, Texas; and Hobbs, with senior Makaylee Morillon topping all runners with a first-place finish in a time of 18:51. MacKenzie Norton was sixth overall with a 20:28, followed by Esmeralda Sorrells (23rd, 22:01), Sorrel Sheffield (31st, 22:37), Lexi Devenport (37th, 23:19) and Mackenna Drake (38th, 23:31).
In the boys' varsity race, the 'Dogs placed fifth as a team behind Hobbs, Clovis, Carlsbad and Ruidoso. First across the line was senior Zane Baize in fourth with a time of 16:15, followed by Cameron Devenport (29th, 18:12), Parker Jarratt (30th, 18:14), AJ Garcia (31st, 18:15), Ethan Johnson (40th, 18:49), Edwin Villarreal (51st, 19:26) and DJ Madrid (60th, 20:07).
In JV action, the Lady Bulldogs came in fourth, with Annalee Sanchez finishing 23rd (25:52), Jema Molina 29th (26:26), Aria Molina 37th (27:14), Arianna Perez 39th (28:04), Doralexi Padilla 42nd (28:28), Miranda Perez 43rd (28:31), Lily Bruton 48th (29:19), Taylan Rosa 51st (29:52) and Majesty Bryant 59th (31:18). For the Bulldog JV, Wyatt Knudsen placed 12th (19:26), Sterlin Sheffield 38th (21:31) and Aedyn Moralez 64th (27:18).
The Artesia runners will next compete at the Academy Extravaganza in Albuquerque at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.
And don't forget: The cross country program will be hosting a Nightmare in Artesia 5k fundraiser Friday, Oct. 11, at Jaycee Park! Come "run for your life" while supporting the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs. Events include one-mile kids' fun runs for age groups 5 and Under and 6-12; a 5k for ages 17 and under; a virtual 5k; and the primary 5k race. Costumes are allowed! To register, scan the QR code below.
