Cleveland rides seven-game winning streak; honor seniors

Cleveland 2, Albuquerque 1

The Cleveland Storm girls soccer team (14-7) defeated the Albuquerque Bulldogs (10-8-2) inside Lightning Bolt Stadium Oct. 29.

The Bulldogs struck first when sophomore Joslin Sells scored an early goal.

However, coach Gregory Rusk’s squad took over from there.

“The other team actually had the better part of the first half until we kind of started to play more of our game, and we were able to actually equalize just before halftime, which is always very beneficial. Then, in the second half we were creating more chances, and our corner kicks are pretty deadly this year,” a smiling Rusk said.

The Cleveland girls were lethal on set pieces, and scored both goals off great corner kicks from midfielder Kiran Ahluwalia.

“Corners have become one of our biggest strong suits for scoring and getting opportunities. I know if I put it in the right spot, one of my teammates is going to get there and put it in,” Ahluwalia said.

After the game, Ahluwalia won the Sports Primo Player of the Game.

The first goal came in the 22nd minute from striker Arissa C’deBaca.

Then, in the 59th minute, defender Autumn Howell sunk the ball in the net on a header. Howell, a sophomore, was a stout defender for the Storm who ended many Bulldog possessions and made plenty of tackles.

The Storm will advance to 5A quarterfinals, where they will face off against the Las Cruces Bulldawgs (17-2) on either Nov. 1 or Nov. 2. An exact date has yet to be announced, and the Storm will travel to Las Cruces for the match up.

Cleveland 5, Rio Rancho 0

The Cleveland Storm's girls soccer team (13-7) won big against the Rio Rancho Rams (7-11-2) on senior day Oct. 26.

From start it finish, Cleveland dominated the game.

The first goal came in the 14th minute from eighth grader Morgan Spaeth.

However, the stampede did not end there as the Storm started to pile on scores at the end of the half, which included a goal from defender Autumn Howell in the 34th minute, and a goal from midfielder Taylor Williamson in the 39th minute. Williamson scored two on the day; the second goal came in the 78th minute.

The final goal of the game came in the last seconds of game-time and was a masterpiece.

Cleveland's top goal scorer, Aliyah C'deBaca (11 on the season), kicked the ball, and at first glance it looked to be too high. However, the ball bent down and curved into the net. C'deBaca tackled her sister, Arissa C'deBaca, in excitement.

"That was crazy! She almost took me out on the floor. She almost broke my leg," Arissa jokingly said.

The referees blew the final whistle moments after C'deBaca scored.

Cleveland seniors

Each senior was asked, "What has it meant to put on the Cleveland uniform all these years?"

Arissa C'deBaca, striker

"I feel like it was really important to me. Whenever I put it on, I had to get in the mindset that, 'This is the game we have to play hard to be able to make it all the way.' I have really enjoyed it all these years."

Kiran Ahluwalia, midfielder/forward

"It means a lot. It means truly a lot. It is very important to me. Every year the group of girls has been very special; they mean a lot to me. They're my best friends. It's just nice to play with your best friends, and have fun ... and play the sport you love. It means a lot. "

Taylor Williamson, midfielder

"The same thing [as Kiran said] and teamwork is so important, being out there, making best friends. Just keeping working hard if you're losing or winning. "

Each senior was also asked, "Any advice to any girl who will put on this uniform?"

C'deBaca

"Play with your girls because they will always have your back."

Ahluwalia

"It really does fly by; just take every moment by heart, and just enjoy every second of it."

Williamson

"Just have fun. It's not that serious, and it goes by really fast."