Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press

It was the seventh match against a team from a higher classification for the New Mexico Military Institute Colt soccer team.

The Colts proved they could hold their own against Artesia, which is ranked fourth-best in the state in Class 4A, on Tuesday night at Stapp Parade Field.

Jose Donnadieu scored on a penalty kick in the second half to help eventually lift NMMI to a 2-1 victory.

NMMI had not played the Eddy County school since 2019. The Colts hold the upper hand, winning eight of the last 10 meetings against the Bulldogs (5-3-1).

“We just had to handle our business, and that’s what we did,” said NMMI head coach John Barbour. “My guys played well. I was proud of them. It was a good game.”

It was a tight match from the start as each offense made a run that was countered by some solid defensive play.

Just before the end of the first half, John Zimmerman got the Colts (4-2-1) on the board off an assist by Luis Medina.

The Bulldogs got a big offensive play from Darius Bishop, who tied the game on a corner kick that slightly slipped off the hands of NMMI goalkeeper Rogelio Larrinaga Esquer.

NMMI had plenty of more chances to blow the game wide open, but it couldn’t finish the golden opportunities until Donnadieu got his chance.

Calm, cool and collected, Donnadieu took a deep breath and lined up his shot. His shot went to the right of Artesia goalkeeper Santi Gonzalez and found the back of the net.

The Colts had 18 shots on goal as Ben Zimmerman led the way with five shots that unfortunately did not find the mark.

NMMI hosts Ruidoso at 3 p.m. Saturday to continue a home stand featuring four games.

“We’ve played some tough schools and we’ve risen up,” Barbour added. “We’ve started to gel together. We’re really proud of where we are right now, but we still have a lot of work to do.

“It doesn’t matter what happens if you’re not going to put the ball in the back of the net.”