For a growing squad like the Bulldogs, victories are measured more in moments than on scoreboards. So while the Artesia boys came up well short of Goddard Saturday in their second District 4-AAAAA game of the season, 6-0, their overall play was what head coach Phillip Jowers was most concerned with.
“I thought we played really well,” Jowers said. “Apart from the Capital game, I felt like we played one of the most complete games we have this season and played with more composure than we have all year.
“If we continue to go in this direction, things will get better.”
The ‘Dogs came out firing in the contest, taking two quick shots on goal that were saved by the Rocket keeper. From there, however, Goddard began to settle in, logging their first goal just over five minutes in and two more near the midway point.
The Rockets physicality got a bit out of hand with around 6:30 to go in the half and earned them a card, but the Bulldogs did not back off, bucking up to Goddard and contesting virtually every ball. The boys in blue were able to tack on a fourth goal, however, with 5:04 on the clock to set the halftime tally.
“Most of the goals they scored on us were good goals,” Jowers said. “But when you have a five-foot-five freshman and a six-foot senior going up for a header, they’re obviously going to have a hard time getting the ball.”
Goddard again kept the majority of the action on Artesia’s end of the field in the second half. But although the Rockets would notch their fifth goal eight seconds in, the Bulldog defense and keeper Aaron Natera would divert the majority of Goddard’s 15 shots on goal in the final 40 minutes, and the Rockets would not secure their sixth goal until the final five minutes of the game on a header.
With the loss, the ‘Dogs drop to 0-2 in district play followed a 9-2 defeat Tuesday at the hands of Lovington.
“I think we possessed the ball really well today,” said Jowers. “I think the guys played a really physical game, and we had opportunities. We just didn’t capitalize on them. I thought my defense played really well, and my goalkeeper has just done a really good job this season with keeping most of the shots teams take on us at bay.”
The Bulldogs will now prepare for a three-game road trip beginning Thursday against Roswell High, followed by a trip to Lovington Saturday and a drive back to the Alien City Oct. 20 for a rematch with the Rockets.
“We played with a lot of heart tonight,” Jowers said. “We’re building a program, and because of that, we have to work extra hard, but it’ll only make us stronger. We’re just going to continue to work on the things we need to work on and try to put what we’re doing in practice into play in games.
“Roswell High plays kind of the same style as Goddard with over-the-top long balls, so we just need to try to possess the ball, play our game, and not tire ourselves out by chasing. We’re going to try to play a physical game and see if we can’t surprise everybody.”
