RR girls soccer tops Los Alamos 2-0 for fourth straight victory

RIO RANCHO — Howling winds and lightning filled the air over Rio Rancho High School on Wednesday night.

But the Rams brought the thunder.

Rio Rancho girls soccer, in their first home game of the month, put together a third consecutive shutout for their fourth straight victory, winning 2-0 over Los Alamos.

It was not the most orthodox game, pausing 20 minutes in for a lightning delay, as fast winds whipped around the field all night.

But no matter the conditions, relentless pressure from the Rams’ defense and a clean sheet from sophomore goalkeeper Tegan Chaves prevailed to move Rio Rancho to 7-2 on the year.

Rams head coach Jenna Sievers discussed constant pressure on both sides of the ball after their season opener at home, a point that has stuck with the team, now outscoring their opponents 19-2 in their last four matches.

Senior striker Kieara Trujillo-Garcia opened up the match with a goal, her third of the year, as she notched a third consecutive multi-point match right before the weather delay.

The lightning went away, but the scrappy Rams defense did not. Rio Rancho had a plethora of counter-attack runs via takeaways, sniffing out any chance at a Hilltoppers run.

Los Alamos would squeeze in some breakaways here and there, but Chaves would quickly end every chance, remaining very active in net. Chaves and fellow goalkeeper, freshman Hailey Anglin, have been a great 1-2 punch for the Rams in goal this season.

The Rams would net one more in the waning moments of the match for a 2-0 victory, hitting their stride right before district play opens up next week.

This was not Rio Rancho’s first meeting with the Hilltoppers, as they took down Los Alamos in a shootout to win at the APS Metro Tourney in a victory that began their current win streak.

Before their first district matchup against Farmington next week, the Rams will head to Atrisco Heritage Academy for a Thursday matchup. Kickoff set for 6:30 p.m.