Cleveland soccer puts up four on senior night

RIO RANCHO — The Cleveland Storm boys soccer team (10-6-1) honored its seniors Oct. 16 with a big win against the Farmington Scorpions (4-13).

The final: Cleveland 4 (Kendricks 14', Andrade 44', Lodge 57', C. Armijo 77'), Farmington 0.

It was a hard-fought game, but make no mistake, Cleveland dominated possession of the ball and had plenty of shots on goal.

The first goal was scored in the 14th minute off of junior Ethan Kendricks' cleat, and getting credit for the assist was sophomore Erick Andrade.

The next goal wouldn't come until the second half (44th minute), when senior Mario Montoya sent a nice ball to Andrade, who made the score "2-nil." Andrade finished the night with one assist and one goal.

In the 57th, sophomore Denym Lodge put the game away with a score of his own.

The final goal came in the 77th minute courtesy of striker Craig Armijo. The sophomore is the Storm's goal leader with seven on the season.

Farmington's frustrations began to manifest when one of their players "football-tackled" Cleveland eighth grader Trevor Louis after Louis dribbled past him. After the play, Storm players rushed over to defend their teammate, and the teams had to be separated. A red card was given to a Storm player in the aftermath.

The energy came back into the stadium after perennial All-State goalkeeper Joaquin Armijo subbed in for some reps as a striker.

"I got tired pretty fast," Armijo jokingly said. "This is my fifth year with the program — fourth on varsity — so I've been here awhile. It was just so much fun to get back on the field after being on goal for three years."

With the win, Cleveland has improved to 5-2 in district play and has entered the double-digit win column for the regular season. Cleveland's next game will be a home matchup against Piedra Vista (11-6) Oct.19. Kickoff time is 1 p.m.

Cleveland seniors

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

Mario Montoya, wing

"It's been really good. I like all my teammates."

Juan Ramirez, center back

"It means leadership. Yes, sir. That's one thing I have taken away from this program is leadership. I'm hoping to keep that with me on my collegiate career."

Austin Clark, center mid

"Determination ... coming back every year, it's just meant a lot."

Joaquin Armijo, goalkeeper

"It's just a reminder of all the hard work that I have put in to get to this point. Every year, I have done whatever I could to get a great role on the team and the uniform reminds me of all the work I put in."

Isaiah Parrish, forward/midfielder

"It's been so much fun. I love playing soccer, and I love playing for Cleveland."

Julian Ortega, striker/winger

"It feels really good coming in as a freshman on C-team. Working my butt off sophomore year, and my junior year on JV. Then, finally in my senior year, I made varsity, and it feels good to be playing with all these amazing players. To be playing my part ... it feels really great."