Metro Soccer Tournament: Daily Update

The Metro Soccer Championship Tournament is now in the Knockout Stage, which means two final games to decide a team’s final standing. Things are moving fast, so the Rio Rancho Observer is keeping you posted on scores results and all the happenings this week concerning the Rio Rancho Rams and the Cleveland Storm girls and boys soccer teams.

All matches take place at the APS Soccer Complex from Sept. 3-6.

Check back daily throughout the week for updates to this story.

Sept. 3 – Day One

Girls Silver Bracket

CIBOLA 1, RIO RANCHO 0

The Rams took a tough loss to Cibola on the first day of the tournament, 1-0. It wasn’t for lack of trying however, as RRHS put plenty of shots on target, but Cibola keeper, freshman Smantha Tafoya, proved impassable, garnering eight saves before being relieved in the 74th minute by senior Jordan Aguilar, who made a save herself.

The Rio Rancho girls take on Sandia in their second match at 6:45 p.m. Sept. 5. The winner will get third place in the Silver Bracket. Cibola and Volcano Vista face off for the Silver Bracket Championship at 7 p.m. Sept. 5.

Sept. 4 – Day Two

Girls Gold Bracket

LA CUEVA 6, CLEVELAND 0

It was a tough night for the Storm as they dropped their first Gold Bracket match to a juggernaut La Cueva Bears team. Bears seniors Leah Barone and Makayla Chavez each scored two goals (called a “brace”). Barone also had an assist to add to her tally. It was a disappointing result for the Storm, but they will look to bounce back on Friday night when they play Eldorado for third place in the Gold Bracket.

Boys Bronze Bracket

RIO RANCHO 3, VOLCANO 1

The RRHS boys soccer team easily handled the Volcano Vista Hawks, winning their first game of the Knockout Stage 3-1. Volcano has struggled since they had a pair of draws to open their season (@ Sants Fe, Aug. 22 and vs Sandia Prep, Aug. 24) but they’ve developed a reputation for tough, physical play. Despite the Hawks hard play and second-half goal, the Rams were able to use their precision play to once again out-maneuver their opponent. They face a tough test against hometown rivals, the Cleveland Storm on Friday when the pair face off for the top Bronze Bracket prize.

CLEVELAND 3, HIGHLAND 0

The CHS boys soccer team had a big night in the first round of the Bronze Bracket Knockout Stage beating the Highland Hornets 3-1. The Storm underclassmen stepped up with sophomores William McNamara and Denym Lodge scoring two of the game's goals. Sophomore Erick Andrade had two shots, but neither found the mark. However, he did come away with two assists to add to the Storm’s impressive 10th-grade contributions. The third goal came from junior Ethan Hendricks. The Storm play the Rams on Friday for the Bronze Bracket Championship.

Sept. 5 – Day Three

Girls Silver Bracket – Rio Rancho vs. Sandia, Field 4 @ 6:45 p.m.

Sept. 6 –Day Four

Girls Gold Bracket – Cleveland vs Eldorado, Field 4 @ 6:45 p.m.

Boys Bronze Bracket – Rio Rancho vs Cleveland, Field 1 @ 4:45 p.m.