Following a summer built on practices, conditioning, and chemistry, Roswell boys’ soccer head coach Robert Madrid believes his team can compete every night.
“We want to start and finish the season strongly to have a chance at winning the district,” Madrid said.
Season goals
This year’s expectation is to be a team that always plays hard, Madrid said. The Coyotes finished the 2025 campaign with a 12-8 record but went just 2-4 in district, leading them to miss the state tournament. Madrid said lack of consistency toward the end of the year is what ultimately hurt them. With key returners and a heavy senior class this time around, he said he thinks they can hang with the best of Class 5A.
Roster outlook
Madrid, 26, enters his first year as head coach, after serving as an assistant coach from 2023-25. He said Axel Sanchez, Hiram Alvarado, and Debrice Ashung are key returners. Sanchez scored a team-high 24 goals last season, according to Madrid. Ashung scored the second most goals with 14 in 16 games, according to MaxPreps. Madrid credited all their work ethics and positivity going into the season.
Schedule outlook
Roswell will play scrimmages against Goddard, Artesia, Hobbs, and Carlsbad from Aug. 6-8 at the Mack Chase Athletic Complex in Artesia.
The Coyotes open the season against New Mexico Military Institute at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the Cielo Grande Sports Complex.
Madrid said he is ready to see his team compete and give it their best efforts for 80 minutes every game.
“I’m very excited about what awaits and cannot wait to get started,” Madrid said. “I believe this team will reach its goals.”
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.
