Artesia’s seven seniors will not get another chance to play for the Bulldogs after a 1-0 home loss to Lovington Wednesday night in the first round of the 2026 Class 4A boys state soccer tournament.
The Bulldogs finished 11-6-3 and won a district championship, but their season ended at Robert Chase Field against a team they had tied twice during the regular season.
Artesia coach Phillip Jowers said he was sad he would not get to coach the seniors anymore. He credited the group with helping change the culture of the soccer program.
One goal, no answer
Lovington senior Brandon Banuelos scored the only goal early in the first half, with 1:19 into the game. The Bulldogs couldn’t tie despite stretches of momentum in both halves, Jowers said.
Jowers credited Banuelos with a well-placed shot and said he expected another close game between the teams.
“He (Banuelos) placed it, and it was a good goal,” Jowers said. “I feel like we had some momentum going there in the first and second half. We knew going in it was going to be tight.”
A familiar opponent breaks through
Lovington coach Edgar Negrete knew the district champions would be difficult to beat.
“We knew Artesia was going to be a hard team,” Negrete said. “They were district champs, and we went toe-to-toe with them. We competed against them twice in the regular season.”
“It means a lot; I am not going to lie,” Negrete said. “I have not been able to beat Artesia since I have been here as the boys’ coach; this was huge.”
Seven seniors say goodbye
Lovington advanced to the next round to face the No. 3 seed, Santa Teresa, on Friday.
Artesia’s seven seniors finished their final season with a district title and praise from their coach.
“Hands down, this has been one of the most enjoyable groups of boys I have coached,” Jowers said. “On the whole, it was the most pleasant and enjoyable season. I can’t say enough about every one of them as men.”
Jowers said five players will continue their playing careers in college. He said the seniors’ contributions to the program went beyond the team’s record.
The hardest part is the ending
The record was not as good as the 2025 team’s, Jowers said, but he felt this team was just as good, if not better. For Jowers, the loss also meant the end of his time coaching the seniors.
“I am not crying tears of sadness,” Jowers said. “It is tears of joy because I got to coach these kids and watch them grow into young men. If anything, I am sad because I do not get to coach them anymore.”
JT Keith can be reached at 575-420-0061 or on X at @JTKEITH1.
