Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press

District play has finally arrived for the New Mexico Military Institute Colt soccer team.

After playing a tough pre-district schedule, the Colts pitched a 5-0 shutout of the Socorro Warriors on Tuesday afternoon at Stapp Parade Field for the District 3-A/3A opener.

“It’s all about getting that one game underneath you, so you can know what you’re facing,” said NMMI head coach John Barbour. “They kind of came at us with everything, but it is what it is.

“We also knew some of their characteristics, and we just had to play smart and within ourselves. That’s what they did. I’m real proud of our guys.”

In the first half, Humberto Valdes got the Colts (9-3-1, 1-0) on the board after firing a goal from 15 yards that clipped the left bar and made it past the goalkeeper.

NMMI extended its lead to 2-0 when John Zimmerman finished off a one-on-one opportunity by putting a ball past the Socorro goalkeeper.

John Zimmerman notched his second goal to start the second half that came off an assist by Jose Padilla.

The Colts later dealt the Warriors (6-7, 0-1) a twin killing when Ben Zimmerman tallied a goal while getting an assist from John Zimmerman.

Up 4-0, John Zimmerman got the hat trick when he found the back of the net off another assist by Padilla.

John Zimmerman and Padilla each finished the game with two assists while Juan Ortiz had one.

NMMI had 19 shots on goal.

The Colts host Hatch Valley at 3 p.m. Saturday before heading on the road to take on Hot Springs and Socorro next week.

“The passing was phenomenal. We were taking it from one side of the pitch to the other,” Barbour added. “It was beautiful soccer today. I’m glad that we played our game.”