Runnin' Rams: RR girls' soccer trounce Scorpions 5-1, win sixth straight

RIO RANCHO — The Runnin’ Rams were off to the races on Wednesday night.

In their district opener, the Rio Rancho girls soccer team put together an impressive victory over Farmington, 5-1. Both teams entered the game with an 8-2 record, but that did not deter the Rams from putting on an offensive clinic.

“We really struggled to find the back of the net last year, and we’ve been successful with that this year,” head coach Jenna Sievers said. “So starting off strong, going into district and getting five goals, it was definitely reassuring.”

The 5-1 final marks six straight wins for Sievers and her team, who have outscored their opponents 32-3 in that span. Farmington’s lone goal is the first time the Rams have given up a goal in more than three weeks.

“I think a lot of it is team chemistry,” Sievers said. “The girls are getting to know each other better, and I think it’s confidence, too, and belief in ourselves and our teammates that’s really helped.”

Strikers Sophia Smith and Kieara Trujillo-Garcia created problems for Farmington. It seemed like just about every attack featured one of the two going on a long run into the Scorpions’ end.

Rio Rancho controlled the midfield, swarming to any Farmington threat and quickly off and running on counterattacks. Despite this breakneck tempo, the opening goal would come via a corner kick.

The Rams would find sophomore Chloe Nevarez on a cross into the box, amidst a sea of defenders, to fire one home and make it 1-0.

Offensive chances would keep coming for Rio, but they could not add to the lead. They dominated the entire first half, but only had a one-goal lead to show for it.

Until Danae Lee joined the party.

Lee, coming off a four-goal game against Atrisco Heritage Academy last week, would find herself on the receiving end of a long through ball to set herself up on a breakaway. All alone, she would evade the keeper and find the back of the net. The Rams finally cashed in on a chance, making it 2-1 right before half.

Lee would go on to score another in the late stages of the second half, now posting three straight multi-goal performances. Still only a freshman, she has made major contributions to a well-rounded Rams team.

Coming out of the half, the Scorpions would finally answer the call, bringing more energy on offense and generating more chances to put Rams goalkeeper Tegan Chaves to work. Farmington had some solid looks, but Chaves handled them with ease.

Just as the momentum started to shift toward Farmington, the Rams were awarded a free kick toward the sideline. From more than 20 yards out, junior captain Meelah Ellsworth sent a hooking drive towards the net to find an open Ram.

Except she didn’t find a teammate; she found the back of the net.

Ellsworth’s incredible shot from distance made it 3-0, a goal that felt like the dagger into Farmington’s chances. The Rams would net two more and, aside from a garbage-time goal from the Scorpions, put together a dominant match.

Dominant, but not perfect, according to Sievers.

“We didn’t quite play at the level that I hoped we would, but we’re able to find the back of the net regardless of that,” Sievers said. “So I’m excited to see how we progress when we are playing more to our game.”

Sievers and the Rams will have to continue to bring that A-game, as the district schedule does not get any easier. Rio Rancho will face top district programs such as Volcano Vista and Piedra Vista in the coming week before preparing for the cross-town rivalry against Cleveland on Oct. 8.