One for the Books: RR girls win an instant classic at Cleveland

RIO RANCHO — The Rio Rancho Rams girls soccer team (12-3) faced off against the Cleveland Storm girls squad (4-9-2) underneath Cleveland High School’s stadium floodlights on Oct. 8. The game proved to be an instant classic and had a little bit of everything from high energy to passion and even an overturned goal.

The final: Rio Rancho 2, Cleveland 1.

“I think this is just what a rivalry game brings. I think it was physical; both teams wanted it and worked for it,” Rio Rancho head coach Jenna Sievers said. “I was really proud of the way they rallied in the second half. I think Cleveland really brought the energy in the first half.”

The first half featured stellar play from both squads and was a near 50-50 split as far as possession.

“I am extremely proud of my team’s performance. We were playing, what, the third best team in the state? And we took it to them, we had opportunities, they had opportunities,” Cleveland head coach Gregory Rusk said.

Having a phenomenal game for the Rams was left defensive back Kendall Sullivan, who constantly won 50-50 balls and was a sound defender. Rams sophomore Sophia Smith was also a threat, displaying elite speed, quickness and ball movement.

As for the Storm, junior standout Aliyah Cde’Baca did just about everything and was one of the smoothest players on the field. Storm center back Anneliese Prosch played a clean game and was stellar as the last line of defense.

Striking first was Cleveland’s Rhyan Dooley, who scored off a pass from fellow sophomore Isa Pfaff. The goal came with just a few minutes to go in the first half.

The Rams got on the scoreboard in the second half when senior Kiera Trujillo-Garcia scored off a booming outside shot, assisted by Sophia Smith.

Now, the most talked about play of the night ...

On a Storm free kick, more than 30 yards out, junior midfielder Maritza Gonzalez kicked a ball that appeared to land behind the RRHS goalkeeper Hailey Anglin and into the net, initially ruled a goal.

Then, after a few minutes, the Rams players pleaded their case to the referees. While no one could hear the conversation, the Rams players kept gesturing to the top right area of the net. After the main referee discussed the matter with a side referee, they overturned the goal.

It remains unclear why the goal was overturned, but some on the field have speculated that a hole in the net caused the ball to enter through the net. To score a goal in soccer, the ball must cross the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. A request to the NMAA for a more accurate account of what happened has been sent.

On the ensuing possession, Rio Rancho’s Smith was on the move, approaching the Cleveland goalie box. Smith attempted to get past Cleveland’s C’deBaca, and C’deBaca was able to take control of the ball through a defensive tackle. Moments later, the referee blew the whistle and awarded the Rams a free kick just outside the goal box.

Rams midfielder Meelah Ellsworth took advantage of the opportunity and scored, hitting the left side of the net. The goal would be the eventual game-winning goal, marking the third time Ellsworth has scored off a free kick.

“It felt so good,” Ellsworth said of her clutch kick. “That’s, like, my third kick I’ve made, so I’m really excited.”

For the first time in the game, Cleveland was playing from behind. C’deBaca would provide some heroics of her own and appeared to score on a long-shot free kick from the half. However, a crashing Storm player was called for making contact with the Ram goalkeeper, negating the goal.

“Through some unfortunate events, we had some goals called back, and that’s sometimes the way it goes,” Rusk said.

In the dwindling minutes of the game, the referee stopped the match due to fan behavior. Many people were heard voicing their displeasure with some of the calls on the field.

A Cleveland official came over to the crowd to give a warning. After the short stoppage, the game was able to conclude, and the Rams secured their 12th win of the year.

Rio Rancho will shift focus to a road district matchup in Farmington (10-4-1) at 1 p.m. Oct. 11. The Rams are 4-1 in district play.

Cleveland will look to bounce back in a home matchup against Cibola (5-8) at 11 a.m. Oct. 11. The Storm are 1-3-1 in district play.

Cleveland and Rio Rancho will play again in the regular season finale at 3 p.m. Oct. 24 at Rio Rancho High School.