The Roswell and Goddard girls’ soccer teams face off at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the Cielo Grande Sports Complex to begin the 2026 campaign.
The Coyotes swept the season series against the Rockets last year, winning 7-1, 3-1 and 2-1. Roswell holds a 5-3-1 advantage over Goddard dating back to 2023.
Last season, Roswell finished 10-10 and missed the state tournament. Goddard went 8-11-2 but still reached the district championship game against Artesia on the road, falling in a sudden-death penalty shootout. After being tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, the Bulldogs won the penalty-kick shootout 3-2, thanks to a goal from keeper Aubrie Edwards.
Impactful players for Roswell
This year, Roswell returns a strong core that includes forward Emily Macias and midfielders Ayanna Patel and Amerie Lagunas. Macias scored a team-high 22 goals last season.
Roswell head coach Urbano Sosa said he is confident in his group heading into the season, hoping to start off with a win.
“Starting off on a good note against your rival is always important,” Sosa said. “It’s also important to win as many home games as possible, so this first game is huge.”
Impactful players for Goddard
Goddard returns key players in forward Brianna Rivera and midfielders Rosalinda Banda and Chealsey Salas.
Sosa said starting the season strong is a goal for his team, which includes defeating the Coyotes.
“It is a big rivalry,” Sosa said. “We’re going to work hard and try our best to beat them.”
Marshall Mecham can be reached at (915) 232-1793 or on X @mecham_marshall. Mecham serves with the New Mexico Local News Fellowship, which places emerging journalists in newsrooms across the state. Learn more at www.newmexicolocalnewsfellowships.org.
