LOCAL 9-17-21 -MaxPreps picks Cavegirls No. 1Cavegirlsranked No. 1 in Class 5AIt's taken MaxPreps three weeks to figure it out, but as Cavegirl soccer fans see it, they finally got it right.At least part of it anyway.After upending former No.1's Centennial and Rio Rancho,on successive weekends,Maxpreps has finally tabbed the Cavegirls as New Mexico's top Class 5A team.The Cavegirls still have a ways to go though in the MaxPrep statewide poll. This week they sit in the third spot behind 3-0St. Pius and 7-0 Hope Christian."The MaxPreps system of ranking is pretty complicated," said Cavegirl head coach Misty Long. "They take a lot of things into consideration, things like strength of schedule. Being a defending state champion isn't one of them.""Earlier this season some ofthe teams ranked above us probably had a little bit tougher schedule than us," said Long. "The last few weeks though our schedule has toughened up a lot."While many Cavegirl fans may be celebrating this week's No. 1 ranking, things in the Cavegirl camp are very different. Hauling in the state's top spot, in either Class 5A or statewide, isn't something that Long and her Cavegirl squad have been focusing on at this particular time."It is a nicefeeling to be considered as New Mexico’stop Class 5A girlssoccer program. Our girls have certainly worked hard enough to be recognized with that honor," said Long. "But we try not to get too caught up in the rankings at this time of the year. We get more into the polls toward the end of the season, when they begin to resemble what the state tournament might look like.""Right now we're more focused on being No. 1 atthe end of the year," said the Cavegirl coach, "and what we need to go to get there, one game at a time."The Cavegirls can also focus on something else this week, a little home cooking."Being on the roadfor the past few weeks, and having to dig down really deep to hold off some of New Mexico's top soccer teams, has been exhaustingfor our girls. That was especially true last weekin their 2-1 overtime victory over La Cueva and 1-0 win over Rio Rancho," said Long. "Now I think they're looking forward to a few games at home and some much needed rest."The Cavegirls were scheduled to host the Artesia Bulldogs on Tuesday, Sept. 14, and the
Alamogordo Tigers on Thursday, Sept. 16. Due to a Tuesday night deadline the local was unable to include those results.CHS' game with Lovington scheduled for Sept. 25 has been cancelled. On Tuesday Sept. 28 they'll be in Clovis to tangle with the Wildcats.Cavegirl RecapsSept. 10-Cavegirls 2, La Cueva 1: Alexa Dugan 1G, Jessica Munro 1A, Abbey Dugan 1G.Sept. 11-Cavegirls 1, Rio Rancho 0: Abbey Dugan 1G.