Lacrosse Is Back: Rio Rancho takes down Santa Fe in 2025 championship rematch, Raptors start 1-0 

RIO RANCHO — It was opening day for Rio Rancho lacrosse, and it didn’t disappoint.

The Rio Rancho Raptors took down the Santa Fe Wolverines at Haynes Park to open up their season, winning by a score of 7-3.

Coming off a 2025 NMLA state championship victory, the Raptors are looking for even more as a blossoming program. Their championship defense begins with a three-game homestand in the City of Vision, fittingly, against the same Wolverines that they beat in the title game.

Same opponent, same result. 

The game started slowly, but after an opening goal from Santa Fe, Rio Rancho got to work.

Hank Moon, on attack, was a standout in the seven-goal display, leading the Raptors in scoring for his season debut.

All three Santa Fe goals would come in the first half, but goalie Damien Tafoya would kick into a different gear in the second, posting a shutout the rest of the way.

Tenacious defense and protecting possession would be the key to a 1-0 start, with an emphasis on defense that would translate into offense.

Highlighted by Ryder Sibley, patrolling the midfield with the long stick for the Raptors, Rio Rancho would post their fifth game of holding their opponent to five goals or less in their last nine contests, dating back to last season.

This lockdown defense would aid the Raptors' offense in outscoring the Wolverines 7-2 after the early 1-0 deficit.

Next up: a home matchup with Los Alamos, who the Raptors took down in the state semifinals en route to the trophy in 2025.

Rio Rancho and Los Alamos are set to face off on April 11 at Haynes Park.