Storm strike Wondergoal!

RIO RANCHO — The Cleveland boys soccer team defeated Las Cruces 1-0 in overtime after a grueling, physical affair to wrap a two-day home stretch and open their season.

CHS is still undefeated, beating Organ Mountain 2-1 on Aug. 20 and pushing their record to 2-0.

It was getting late on Wednesday afternoon. The blazing sun was beginning to dip behind the western stands, the clock was winding down (or up, in the case of soccer) and both teams were on their last legs as sophomore defender Zac Martinez caught the ball at his feet just outside his attacking third. A short dribble, a stiff punt, and Martinez's ball found the back of the net just as overtime wrapped.

“We played well. We stuck to the game plan,” said Storm head coach Shaun Gill. “The guys are passing well, they’re moving well. [Las Cruces was] gassing, and my guys were still going strong, so I’m proud of them for that ... even though it’s 100-plus degrees on the turf.”

Overall, Gill said he is happy with how the season opened. He loves his team's fire and drive.

“They did well yesterday and today, and we are starting to come together,” he said.

In fact, his biggest concern, especially on the hot days, is making sure his team is hydrated and rested.

“We had one cramp but other than that, they were mad that I was taking them out,” Gill said. “They were like, ‘Coach, why are you taking me out?’ And I was like, ‘Well, it’s hot out there and you need to hydrate and stay cool.’ I keep telling them we have another game on Saturday.”

The heat wasn’t the only thing the Storm were fighting. Las Cruces attempted to use their size and physicality to dominate the game. They quickly discovered CHS was more than a match for the Las Cruces' size.

The Bulldawgs quickly shifted tactics and moved into an almost exclusively defensive formation, content to defend (or “park the bus”) and counterattack when they could find an opening. As a result, the Storm dominated possession and shots-on-goal, but the tactic seemed to work.

That is, it worked until deep into extra time when Martinez blasted a shot from roughly 25 yards out and ended the match.

“I saw [the ball] bouncing, and I was looking for that exact ball all game,” said Martinez. “I told [sophomore midfielder William McNamara] to leave it, and it was just instinct, and I hit it, and it went in.”

Gill said the shot was right in Martinez’s wheelhouse and he was hoping the rising star defender would get the opportunity.

“Zac has a nice shot, and he laced that,” said Gill. “It was a pretty shot.”

After the game, an elated Martinez gave credit to his team and acknowledged the efforts of the visitors.

“It was all a team effort,” he said. “The other team worked hard, but at the end of the day, it’s just heart.”