Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press
If the New Mexico Military Institute Colt soccer team wants an opportunity to receive a top four seed at the state tournament then they will have to win every game from here on out.
With a target on their back as the No. 3 ranked team in Class A/3A, the Colts were able to triumph over the Hatch Valley Bears 5-4 in overtime Saturday afternoon at Stapp Parade Field.
John Zimmerman lifted NMMI (10-3-1, 2-0) to victory by scoring the game-winning goal in the first overtime period.
“We didn’t come out of the gates real well. It’s good to get the win. We can’t let off the gas at all,” said NMMI head coach John Barbour. “We’ve got to be very strong in our finish or we’re liable to be sitting here at home.”
The game was tied up 1-1 before the Colts took a 3-1 lead at the break.
In the second half the momentum switched back and forth.
Hatch came back to tie the game at three-all before NMMI regained the lead on a penalty kick by Jose Donnadieu.
The Bears (8-7-1, 1-1) answered back to tie the score at 4-4 at the end of regulation.
Right out of the gates, Zimmerman lifted a ball over the out stretched hands of goalkeeper Michael Trujillo and into the back of the net to send his team into the win column.
Zimmerman finished with two goals while Donnadieu, Humberto Valdes and Andres Moreno each found the back of the net once.
Donnadieu tallied two assists while Jose Padilla and Juan Ortiz had one a piece.
Aksel Vasquez notched the hat trick for the Bears while Eduardo Moreno scored once.
NMMI had to overcome adversity after goalkeeper Rogelio Larrinaga exited the game with an injury after making a save.
Fabrizio Cano stepped up and made a solid save off his chest that could’ve given Hatch a little more breathing room.
Three of the four teams in District 3/4-A/3A are ranked in the top 10 in the latest MaxPreps rankings. Hatch entered the game at No. 6.
NMMI travels to Truth or Consequences to take on Hot Springs at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
“We’re trying to get better each game,” Barbour added. “This one, unfortunately, we kind of took a step back. We’re going to have to put our work in. This is not our best soccer.”