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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Lady Pintos Feeling Good About New District

By Harold Smith
Mountain View Telegraph
          The Moriarty High girls soccer team was all business during Tuesday morning's practice.
        There were no spontaneous giggles, certainly no outright laughter as the Lady Pintos, who are keenly aware that three months can make for a long season, got set for the first of two hard practices scheduled for that day. Their first regular-season games are slated for Aug. 22-23 in the Artesia tournament.
        Moriarty — 11-11, 5-5 in District 5-4A during 2007 — will face Los Alamos in its first home game on Aug. 26 at the Pintos' soccer complex south of Moriarty Middle School. The Pintos advanced to state last year and went 1-1 in Class 4A's World Cup-format pool play.
        "I think we have a better chance in district this year just 'cause (St.) Pius isn't there anymore," said Moriarty senior Melanie Armijo, a 5-foot-4 center-midfielder. "I think we can do it, but we have a lot of work to do."
        The new 5-4A consists of Del Norte, Los Lunas, Valencia, state runner-up Albuquerque Academy and the Pintos. Old 5-4A members — Belen, Grants and reigning state champion St. Pius — are now in newly created District 6-4A with Volcano Vista.
        "We've got some speed with Jayci (Manning), Molly (LaRue) and Kendra (Nixon, the coach's daughter)," Moriarty third-year coach Craig Nixon said. "Kendra, who has been back on defense, may get an opportunity this year to get out in the open and use her speed."
        The Pintos have nine seniors, seven of which have considerable varsity experience.
        "We're pretty excited, a little crazy sometimes, but we can be serious when we have to, when we need to," said Kendra Nixon, a 5-6 senior sweeper. "The key is probably just beating Del Norte, Academy and Los Alamos, something we've done before."
        Manning and Nixon epitomize Moriarty's fleet feet. Manning, at the state track meet in May, ran a leg for the silver-medalist 1,600-meter relay team and was fourth in the long jump, while Nixon was eighth in the 100 hurdles.
        "I'm really excited about this year," said Manning, a 5-4 senior wing. "I like to be busy. I think this year will be fun. I think to get the most out of your high school experience, you have to be involved."
        LaRue is feisty and is a good sprinter, too.
        "I think we'll do well (in soccer) if we stay strong and communicate," said LaRue, a 5-1 senior forward.
        The Pintos' seniors also include Savannah Baros, 5- 3/4 forward; Megan Bond, 5-6 goalkeeper; Chantel Davidson, 5-6 defender; Desireé Godinez, 5-1 midfielder; and Emilee Payne, 5-3 goalie.
        "I've got some good juniors, sophomores and freshman," Craig Nixon said. "And I have got probably four or five eighth-graders. I think most, if not all of them, are from Edgewood Middle School."
        Valerie Luker is Craig Nixon's new assistant.
        "I had a competitive team (the East Mountain Renegades, who will be at under-14 in the spring) the last four or five years," Luker said. "My daughter (Taylor) is playing up (with Moriarty High) this year, and I have three other girls from my Renegades team playing up this year. It's a good opportunity for me. I know coach Nixon is a well-thought-of coach. I thought it would be good to learn under him."