Prep soccer: Lynx corrals Ruidoso, advances to meet top seed Bosque

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Nov 5, 2015 | Soccer |

Navajo Times | Paul Natonabah
Rehoboth’s Gil Alverez (2) hits the ball with his head during a game against the Ruidoso Warriors during the first round of the state soccer playoffs at Rehoboth Christian on Saturday, Oct 31. Rehoboth Christian advanced to the next round with a 1-0 win.

REHOBOTH, N.M.

After a three-year absence from the New Mexico state playoffs, the Rehoboth boys’ soccer team made the most of their invite on Saturday.

The Lynx (13-8) got the go-ahead score from Ben Kruis as the senior midfielder got a good-looking pass from freshman teammate Austin Wilson from inside the box for a 1-0 win over No. 9 seed Ruidoso at Rehoboth High.

“I saw a split through the defense and Austin was a good teammate by distributing me the ball,” said Kruis, who admitted that he had some doubt on whether the ball would hit between the goal post.

“I looked up and I saw the keeper tip it so I thought it was going to go out,” Kruis said. “Luckily it went in.”

As the tournament’s No. 8 seed in the New Mexico Class 1A-4A state soccer championships, Rehoboth coach Nick Donkersloot said it was huge for his club to host an opening round game.

“For us being on this field, we are a whole different team,” he said. “We are so comfortable on this turf. We like how it bounces. And when we get to grass, it’s tough to get used to that.”

With a senior dominated team, the third-year coach said it’s great to see his kids succeed, while at the same time he was feeling empathetic for Ruidoso.

Navajo Times | Paul Natonabah
Rehoboth’s Christian Jaqkuez (10) drives past a Ruidoso defender during first round of the New Mexico state soccer playoff at Rehoboth Christian on Oct. 31. The Lynx won 1-0.

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