Eldorado draws first blood in 2-5A girls soccer

The first salvo in the District 2-5A girls soccer chase was fired Friday afternoon by the Eldorado Eagles.

Addy Daniels was perfect in goal, and third-ranked Eldorado, playing at home, rode two first-half goals, including a penalty kick goal in the waning seconds of the half, to a 2-0 triumph over No. 1 La Cueva in the first of their two league showdown matchups.

“Good statement for us,” said Eldorado junior forward Aliya Nivanh. She had a goal and an assist Friday.

The Eagles (9-1-1) are 2-0 in league play. La Cueva is 8-4, 1-1. The Bears were trying to get coach Amber Ashcraft her 500th career victory; alas, she’ll have to wait until Wednesday to try again, with La Cueva visiting Capital.

Gianna Gurule had the first tally for the Eagles, with Nivanh providing the helper. Later, as the first half was just about to close, Gurule’s sister, Emma, was fouled in the box.

Eldorado sent Nivanh to the line, and she finished in the final minute of the half for a two-goal cushion.

“We pressed really hard in the first half, we were having success and we were able to capitalize,” Eldorado coach Aaron Forrester said.

La Cueva’s increased energy and pressure was noticeable in the second half, but the Bears were unable to finish as Eldorado did in the first half.

Daniels, a junior, registered seven saves in net for the Eagles. She had been splitting time until an injury elevated her to starter.

The Eagles started the season as one of the serious challengers to win a state title come November, and so far, they’ve been as advertised.

“I think our attitude is a lot better,” Nivanh said. “And our connection as a team, in general, is so much better than it has been. I think we all came in (to the season) really confident.”

Eldorado’s only loss came to Class 4A power Hope Christian, and the Eagles drew with Albuquerque Academy.

“We finally figured out how to play together as a group,” Forrester said. “... Against the better teams, we’ve been playing well.”

There is a repeat match with the Bears on Oct. 15 at the APS Complex.

“We know they’re still really good and it’ll be a battle again when we play them next time,” Forrester said.