Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press

Behind three goals by Jose Donnadieu, the New Mexico Military Institute Colt soccer team notched a 6-2 victory over Alamogordo in the opening round of the Coyote Classic on Friday night at the Cielo Grande Recreation Area.

The Colts (3-2) will play Mayfield at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 in the championship semifinals.

“This is a great win for us,” said NMMI head coach John Barbour. “We’re starting to put the pieces together. It’s all about them figuring out that passing is where the strong suite is.”

Two minutes into the first half, Donnadieu got the Colts on the board with a goal scored off a bicycle kick.

From that point on the confidence built up for NMMI as it increased its lead to 2-0 after a goal by Humberto Valdes in the 22nd minute that was scored on a pass that came off a corner kick by Donnadieu.

Six minutes later, the Colts found the back of the net once again. John Zimmerman made the score 3-0 as he finished strong on an assist by Andres Moreno.

During stoppage time late in the first half, John Zimmerman picked up his second goal to give NMMI a commanding 4-0 lead at the half.

Carrying lots of momentum, the Colt offense remained potent entering the final half.

Donnadieu scored his second goal of the night in the 50th minute to give the Colts a 5-0 advantage.

With a red card issued to NMMI, the team played down one player for the rest of the half. Alamogordo took advantage by scoring two quick goals a minute apart.

Elias Hernandez ended the shutout in the 63rd minute and then Adam Hoppes answered right back with a goal to cut the deficit to three.

Donnadieu picked up the hat trick in the 71st minute after scoring a goal on a penalty kick.

The Colts had 11 shots on goal while five players had one assist apiece.

“It was real physical. We knew it was going to be that way,” Barbour added. “But at the same time you can’t lose your head. Hats off to them. They played to the final whistle.”