Cavegirls soccer seeks return to playoffs as 2023 season starts at home against Lovington
The Carlsbad Cavegirls soccer team missed a chance to return to the 5A playoffs in 2022, ending the season with a losing record.
The Cavegirls won the 5A state title in the spring of 2021 with a shortened season as fall sporting events in New Mexico were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carlsbad finished second in New Mexico’s 5A class after losing to Albuquerque in the state title game in the fall of 2021 as New Mexico schools resumed a normal schedule and COVID-19 mandates were lifted.
More: Carlsbad girls soccer coach Misty Long honored by New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame
This year Cavegirl head coach Misty Long looks for a return to the state playoffs after the team finished 2022 at 7-9-4.
Here is an analysis of teams on the Cavegirl’s 2023 schedule.
Aug. 22 Lovington at Carlsbad
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The Cavegirls start the 2023 against a Lady Wildcats squad that Carlsbad shutout 3-0. Lovington was 3-15 last year.
Sept. 1 and Sept. 2 Carlsbad at Las Cruces tournament
The Cavegirls begin September with a six-game road trip and a two-day tournament in Las Cruces.
Sept. 5 Carlsbad at Goddard
The Cavegirls travel to Roswell for a match against the Rockets.
Carlsbad defeated Goddard in Carlsbad last year 1-0.
More: Misty Long discusses Cavegirls soccer state championship dream season
Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 Carlsbad returns to Las Cruces
Sept. 8 the Cavegirls face Centennial, and Sept. 9 Carlsbad takes on Mayfield.
Last year the Cavegirls shutout Mayfield 1-0 in tournament. Both schools went scoreless during a regular season game in Carlsbad that season
In 2022, the Cavegirls tied the Hawks in a tournament contest and won 3-1 during a regularly scheduled game.
Sept. 12 Carlsbad at Gadsden
The Cavegirls travel to Anthony, New Mexico, located between Las Cruces and El Paso. Last year Carlsbad shutout the Panthers 3-0.
Sept. 14 through Sept. 16 Cavegirls travel to Albuquerque
Carlsbad participates in a three-day tournament at Albuquerque Academy. The tournament is the final road contest for the Cavegirls during September.
Sept. 19 Artesia at Carlsbad
The Cavegirls return home for a three-game homestand to end September.
The Cavegirls host in-county rival Artesia, the Cavegirls shutout the Lady Bulldogs last year.
Sept. 21 and Sept. 23 Las Cruces schools visit Carlsbad
Sept. 21 the Cavegirls host Organ Mountain. The Lady Knights shutout Carlsbad last year 4-0 in Las Cruces.
Sept. 23 Carlsbad ends the non-district portion of the season with a home match against Las Cruces High School. The Bulldawgs shutout the Cavegirls last year 4-0.
District 5-4A play starts Oct. 3 with Carlsbad at Clovis
Oct. 17 Clovis travels to Carlsbad to start the second half of district play.
The Lady Wildcats swept the Cavegirls in league action last year, and Clovis finished first in the district.
More: Carlsbad state soccer champ signs with Eastern New Mexico University in Portales
Oct. 7 Roswell at Carlsbad
In last year’s opening game of the series, the Cavegirls tied the Lady Coyotes. Roswell edged Carlsbad 2-1 in closing match of the two-game set.
Oct. 21 the Cavegirls travel to Roswell.
Sept. 24 Hobbs at Carlsbad
Last season the Lady Eagles swept the Cavegirls with scores of 6-2 and 2-0.
Oct. 24 in Carlsbad, the regular season ends for the Cavegirls at home against Hobbs.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Carlsbad Cavegirls soccer starts 2023 season against Lovington
