Cleveland girls soccer season begins with two extra-time matches

RIO RANCHO — The Cleveland Storm girls soccer team (0-1-1) started off its season with a two-game home stretch against Las Cruces and Organ Mountain Aug. 19-20 with both games going into extra time.

Cleveland lost its first matchup 4-3 against Organ Mountain and tied its second match against Las Cruces, 3-3.

The Storm squad lost three pillar players from last season: Kiran Ahluwalia, Arissa C'de Baca, and Taylor Williamson. The three seniors from the 2025 class are currently playing collegiately, and all played varsity soccer since their freshman years (Williamson also played varsity her eighth-grade year).

Nonetheless, the Cleveland coaches noted that this year's squad looked very fast and agile. Leading the charge for the Storm include senior Angeline Montoya, junior Aliyah C'de Baca, senior Anneliese Prosch, junior Maritza Gonzalez and senior Maddie Johnson.

Cleveland vs. Organ Mountain (Aug. 19)

The first matchup of the season began with a goal by Cleveland's Rhyan Dooley as the sophomore put the ball in the back of the net in the 30th minute.

A couple possessions later, Cleveland star Montoya scored the second Cleveland goal of the season with an assist from Gonzalez.

All was well with Cleveland, who held a 2-0 lead heading into the 60th minute.

On a Cleveland fast-break in the second half, a Storm forward was fouled, leading to a penalty kick for the Storm. C'deBaca, the Storm's leading goal scorer from last season, missed it wide left.

Then, the Knights scored three goals in the span of five minutes; taking the 3-2 lead over the Storm.

The Storm got another PK chance with seven minutes left to go, and Montoya put the ball in the back of the net for her second goal of the night.

The game would head to extra time, and that's when Organ Mountain freshman Chloe Robey hit the game-winning goal for the Knights.

“I felt really good because all of my team has been working really hard,” Robey said.

Cleveland vs. Las Cruces (Aug. 20)

The Cleveland squad struck first again thanks to an outside shot by Gonzalez.

Las Cruces forward Raylene Carillo responded with a goal of her own, which would be her first of three goals and her first hat trick of the season.

“It feels pretty good, you know, helping the team,” Carillo said.

The next two Cleveland goals would come from Cleveland's C'de Baca who scored both goals from the goals. The second goal was from 25 yards out.

“I think we are really connecting and starting to become a strong team,” C'de Baca said.

The game would head to extra time, and while both teams had nice sets, neither was able to score. The game would end in a tie.

“After the first game yesterday, I feel like we picked it up more,” C'de Baca said.

Notes from both games

C'de Baca served as the team's field general in the middle of the field, and in the last 20 minutes of the game against Las Cruces, she played true center back.

Montoya is a threat on the left side of the field, and juked out several players and showed off some impressive speed.

Cleveland's goalkeeper Maddie Johnson got injured against Las Cruces but was able to return toward the end of the game.

Some underclassmen logging several minutes and making some impact plays include sophomore Mia Ramirez, freshman Milagro Hernandez and Madison Furrow

Gregory Rusk's squad will regroup before the start Metro pool play this Saturday. The Storm will play Sandia Prep (0-0) at the APS Sports Complex at 9 a.m. Aug. 23.