DEFENDING STATE SOCCER CHAMP LOVINGTON UNDER NEW & FAMILIAR LEADERSHIP
For the first time ever, the Lovington High School boys soccer program starts the season as the defending state champs. “We don’t know what’s it’s like,” said head coach Luis Aceves. “We know that target is going to be on our back.”
Lovington beat Hope Christian 2-1 in the Class 4A State Championship last year, giving the Wildcats their first ever state title. It was Lovington’s third straight appearance in the finals. “Soccer has gotten big in this community, you can feel it,” said Aceves. “We believe we can go at it again this year.”
The Wildcats will begin the year with a new head coach. Aceves takes over for Reyes Marquez who left Lovington for the head coaching job at Hobbs High School. Aceves spent the past two seasons as an assistant with the Wildcats. “It’s a dream come true,” he said. “To get to do this as an alumni, there really isn’t any words to describe it.”
Luis moved to Lovington from Mexico when he was five years old, eventually graduating from Lovington High School in 2017. Aceves was part of the first boys soccer program started at Lovington. “It’s fun because I’ve gotten to see the full circle, from the very beginning to last year when we won state, it’s an amazing feeling,” he explained.
Luis’ assistant, Bryden Rodriguez, also has ties to the Lovington soccer program. The two played together with the Wildcats. “Every time we’re together, it’s soccer,” explained Aceves. “Being able to coach with one of my best friends is something else.”
Aceves inherits a team that went 20-2-1 last season. Remy Hernandez and Alejandro Franco, both seniors, along with sophomore Payton Hernandez, are a few of the returning players from last year’s championship squad. Lovington gave up less than a goal a game last season. “We have to stay humble,” said Aceves. “We know we’re state champs, we know there’s a target, we know it’s going to be tough, we know teams are going to come after us, but we have to stay strong, we have to stay positive, and we have to work hard.”
Lovington will open the season at home on August 22nd against Ruidoso.
