Rams boys soccer opens with four straight wins, makes APS metro final four

RIO RANCHO — New beginnings, no losses.

Rio Rancho boys soccer has been on a tear to start the season, totaling four straight wins in a five-game stretch. The Rams opened up the season down south with victories over Las Cruces and Organ Mountain before winning their pool play group in the APS Metro Tournament with two wins and a draw.

The Rams earned a spot in the APS Gold Bracket semifinals against La Cueva High School.

“The four straight wins to start the season were amazing,” senior Tanner Groves said. “It really motivates the team when you start strong, and we have lots more to come.”

Experience has shone early on for the Rams, with seniors and upperclassmen playing key roles in several past victories.

Senior Parker Dunn found the back of the net on a corner kick in what would be the winning goal against Organ Mountain 1-0, while Groves netted a game-deciding goal of his own in a 3-2 tourney win over Highland.

“This season is different from the rest because we have 16 playing seniors on our squad,” Groves said. “We have tons of leadership, the team stays in check, and everyone is determined.”

Each game has not missed the mark on drama, with three of the Rams’ four wins being decided by one goal. Senior goalkeeper Kenneth Graves and the defense have been as solid as they come, giving up one goal or less on three separate occasions.

“This year’s metro tournament for us has been very competitive, which makes the games more thrilling and exciting than usual,” Groves said. “But as always, all games are awesome and a blessing to be in.”

Tonight’s meeting between the Rams and Bears will be a rematch of last year’s state semifinals in November, where La Cueva beat Rio Rancho 1-0 to go to the championship. The Bears are also the reigning APS Metro champions from 2024.

If Rio Rancho can knock them off, it could be a major stepping stone into what may be a special season.

“Go into this next game, we know it’s going to be a challenge,” Groves said. “We are all ecstatic to play, and we are going into the game ready to play hard.”

Friday, Sept. 5: After a hard fight on Wednesday night, the Rams’ tourney run to the top came to a close with a 3-1 loss to the La Cueva Bears. They won’t see LC again this season, barring any playoff bracket matchups later this fall.

Securing a top-four finish, the Rams were to face Atrisco Heritage Academy on Friday night in the third-place game. You can find the live results on our social media pages, @RRObserver and rrobserver.com.