Wednesday, August 27, 2008

BHS girls soccer wins Socorro Cup tourney championship

Lady Eagles have best start since 2001-02 by winning first 3 matches

John Gale News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jgale@news-bulletin.com

Socorro The Belen High School girls soccer team got off to its best start in seven years by winning its first three matches over the weekend at the Socorro Cup.

The Lady Eagles hadn't won the tournament in Socorro since 2001, when current head coach Melissa Gurule Jaramillo was their star player. They won their first six matches that year.

"They were so excited," Jaramillo said of her team's reaction to winning the tourney. "They said they haven't felt like that ever. It was good for me to take them into victory to see how happy they are. It was an amazing tournament."

Belen opened its season Friday afternoon against Ruidoso, posting a 2-0 shutout. Marysa Cordova and Angelea Maestas scored first-half goals, and Kelli Williams added an assist on Cordova's goal. Goalkeeper Desirae Saiz had six saves.

In the semifinals on Saturday morning, the Class 4A Lady Eagles squared off against Bloomfield. The two teams alternated goals throughout, but Belen prevailed 4-3.

Cordova dominated the match, pulling off a hat trick. Deanna Ulibarri added a goal and an assist, while Williams and Melania Berry each had an assist.

"Marysa Cordova played an amazing weekend," Jaramillo said. "I saw a different side of her that I hadn't seen. She picked it up."

Saiz had nine saves before being knocked out the last 15 minutes of the game when she was kicked in the shoulder. Justine Stambaugh came in and had a couple saves of her own.

The Eagles faced the host team in the championship game on Saturday evening. Despite the Lady Warriors' home field advantage, Belen bested Socorro by a 4-2 margin. Kayla D'Arcangeli scored twice, and Williams and Nicolle Sanchez each had one goal. Ulibarri added an assist.

Belen faced three Class 1A-3A teams at the tournament, but the way the Lady Eagles played together seemed to be what impressed their coach.

"I couldn't ask for more," Jaramillo said. "I'm so amazed at how fast they're growing. They're learning so much in so little time. They're playing good soccer as a team. Communication, that's a key, and their passes are really good."

Saiz returned to start in goal against Socorro, recording five saves before giving up a goal on a penalty shot that made the score 4-2. She landed hard on her shoulder, which required Stambaugh to come in for the last 10 minutes and make a couple of saves.

Jaramillo said she's optimistic that Saiz will be able to start for Belen's matches this week, but she isn't sure that Saiz will be in goal.

Belen's junior varsity also played in the tournament, losing 10-0 to Bloomfield and 9-0 to Ruidoso and winning 4-0 over Hatch.

Belen was set to host Class 5A Oñate on Tuesday after News-Bulletin press time. The Lady Eagles will host Valencia at 4 p.m. on Thursday.

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