No one ever questions the heart of the Artesia girls’ soccer team. Saturday brought a David-versus-Goliath challenge, and heart alone could not bridge the gap.

The Lady ’Dogs brought the fight. Albuquerque Academy brought the quality and experience to earn a decisive win.

The Chargers handed Artesia a 7-0 loss, ending the Lady ’Dogs’ season and leaving Artesia head coach Tim Trentham with the difficult task of helping his players see beyond a painful final score.

Trentham credited Academy’s seasoned players and year-round experience. His frustration after the loss came alongside praise for the Lady ’Dogs’ effort and everything they had accomplished during the season.

“It is a tough way to finish the season,” Trentham said after the game. “Albuquerque Academy was pretty much what we expected they would be, just a really good team with really seasoned players that play year-round. There was not really a lot we could do.”

An early blow, a steep climb

Albuquerque Academy took an early lead on a penalty kick after a call went against the Lady ’Dogs. The Chargers built on that opening goal and took control of the scoring.

By halftime, Artesia trailed 4-0. Academy had established a commanding lead, leaving the Lady ’Dogs with a steep climb. Artesia responded by regrouping and keeping up the fight.

“We came off the field at halftime mentally defeated,” Trentham said. “We re-steeled ourselves and went back out there and played better in the second half.”

Outmatched, but still fighting

The Chargers added three goals after halftime, including another penalty kick. Artesia never stopped trying, even as the gap on the scoreboard grew.

That mattered to Trentham. The loss hurt, but he did not want one afternoon against Albuquerque Academy to erase everything his team had done to reach that point.

“We still battled well,” Trentham said.

He told his players not to let the final game become their lasting memory of the season. There was more to their year than the opponent they could not get past.

Trentham said that facing private-school teams with year-round players presents a difficult challenge for Artesia. Academy’s quality was clear Saturday, but so was the Lady ’Dogs’ willingness to keep competing. For Artesia, closing that experience gap remains a goal, not a reason to stop trying.

Artesia midfielder Jazlene Tovar chases down a ball and heads toward scoring a goal against Taos on Thursday.

A goodbye bigger than the score

After the loss, Trentham turned his attention to the seniors. He told them how much they had meant to him, how proud he was of them and then shared a private word with them.

“I told them this does not get done without your efforts,” Trentham said.

He thanked them for their selflessness, their leadership, and the experience they passed down to younger players. His message focused on what they gave the program, not what the scoreboard said they lacked.

“We care about them, and we are sad to see them go,” Trentham said. “I thank them for one heck of a season.”

The next step for the Lady ’Dogs

Artesia (17-4-1, and 6-0 District 4-4a) expects to return 12 seniors, along with a mix of juniors and sophomores, one freshman, and four eighth graders.

For Trentham, the next step is giving those players more opportunities to compete in the offseason. He said that Albuquerque’s deeper talent pool and more competitive playing opportunities help prepare teams such as Academy, Hope Christian, St. Pius X and Los Alamos for postseason games.

“When we get to the quarterfinals, we are going to go up against teams that are bringing in experience into the game,” Trentham said.

He believes more year-round play can help Artesia close that gap. Academy showed the level the Lady ’Dogs are working to reach. Artesia showed the resolve it can build on, pairing that heart with more experience as the program moves forward.

Academy earned the win. Artesia’s effort did not change the score, but the score did not erase what the Lady ’Dogs had given their season.

Get Outlook for Mac