The Lady Dogs kept the pressure on, and Taos could not hold them off.
Artesia won 2-0 on Oct. 29 at Robert Chase Field to advance to the girls’ soccer state quarterfinals. The teams’ first meeting turned into a defensive struggle, with both Lady Dogs goals coming on penalty kicks.
Taos makes Artesia work
“I thought they played us pretty hard,” Artesia coach Tim Trentham said. “I expected it to be an intense game.”
Trentham said Taos played defensively for most of the game, trying to keep Artesia from scoring while looking for chances to counterattack.
Penalty kicks break through
Eighth grader Sophia Banda drew a penalty kick, and Marlyn Corza converted at the 37:30 mark of the first half to give Artesia the lead.
“Marlyn (Corza) is automatic,” Trentham said. “You can send her up there to get a goal. She is perfect on the season. That was a good goal to get.”
The teams battled defensively until midfielder Kaylee Berdoza scored on a penalty kick with five minutes left.
Artesia had to work for both goals. Corza put the Lady Dogs in front in the first half, but Taos stayed within a goal until Berdoza converted late. The Lady Dogs kept Taos off the scoreboard to secure the win.
Artesia improved to 17-3-1 with its ninth consecutive victory and 14th win in 15 games.
Artesia soccer player Abigail Jowers kicks the ball from the corner against Taos on Thursday at Robert Chase Field.
Academy is next
The Lady Dogs are scheduled to visit Albuquerque Academy at 2 p.m. Oct. 31. Trentham said the teams have not met during his 21 years as an Artesia assistant or head coach. He had not yet watched film of Albuquerque Academy.
“We have to move on, and we know that Albuquerque Academy is next, and it is going to be that much of a harder game.”
Trentham said Artesia will need a nearly perfect game to reach the semifinals. The Lady Dogs will have to be sharp on both ends of the field to keep their season going.
“We have to be sound defensively and offensively,” Trentham said. “I think we are, and we played a lot better tonight than we did in Lovington, team-wise.”
JT Keith can be reached at 575-420-0061, or on X@JTKEITH1.
