8 Bears soccer players penalized
School mum on why, but no laws broken
Eight players from the La Cueva High School boys varsity soccer team have been suspended for the remainder of the season, the Journal has learned.
The players were booted from the team Friday, La Cueva principal Dana Lee confirmed to the Journal on Saturday. The reasons for their dismissal wasn’t specified, although Lee said the students broke team, La Cueva and Albuquerque Public Schools rules.
In a prepared statement, Lee said:
“As career educators, our first priority will always be for student safety. Occasionally, concerning behavior comes to our attention that necessitates our involvement. At the end of the day, these are excellent students and even better young men who made a poor decision. They will continue to be valued and supported members of our La Cueva student body.”
Lee was asked if she could comment on the direct reason for the suspensions, but she declined. It is also unknown when the incident in question took place.
La Cueva athletic director LeeAnn Moores said as far as La Cueva knows, none of the eight players was in possession of alcohol and that no law enforcement agencies were involved.
Bears coach Easy Jimenez did not respond to a message seeking comment.
La Cueva on Saturday afternoon clinched the District 2-5A championship with a 4-0 victory over West Mesa at the APS Complex. The state playoff brackets in Class 5A are going to be released Sunday afternoon by the New Mexico Activities Asso
ciation. The playoffs begin with the first round next Friday and Saturday.
Lee said the players who were suspended can go on to play in other sports this school year. She said she was unsure as of Saturday whether athletes from other sports at La Cueva were involved in the incident in question.
As for the length of their suspensions from athletics, that could not immediately be confirmed. The suspension is believed to be 45 days, according to one Journal source.
WEEK 11 FOOTBALL GAMES TO WATCH
(7 p.m. Friday unless noted)
1. Clovis (6-3, 3-0 in 2/5-6A) at La Cueva (7-2, 3-0), Wilson Stadium: As we clear the bench for a super-sized Games to Watch list today, we start with the Wildcats and Bears going at it for a district title. This one has huge seeding implications. 2. Cleveland (7-2, 3-1 in 1-6A) at Rio Rancho (6-3, 3-1): The Storm can still perhaps play its way into a topfour seed with a convincing victory.
3. Roswell (9-0, 2-0 in 4-5A) vs. Goddard (7-2, 2-0), Wool Bowl: The Rockets’ brand of football has yielded great results against high-flying offenses like Lovington and Artesia, but the Coyotes have been in another league altogether. 4. Mayfield (6-2, 4-1 in 3-6A) vs. Las Cruces (7-2,
5-0), Aggie Memorial Stadium: The state’s biggest rivalry is renewed. If the Trojans win by at least 13, we’ll have a three-way tie for first place, assuming Centennial beats Gadsden. If Mayfield wins by 12 or fewer, or if Las Cruces wins, it makes the Bulldawgs a much clearer district champ. 5. Lovington (6-3, 2-0 in 3/4-4A) at Portales (8-1, 2-0): A district championship game, and it’s conceivable that the winner becomes the No. 1 seed in Class 4A.
6. Farmington (8-1, 2-0 in 1-5A) vs. Piedra Vista (7-2, 2-0), Hutchison Stadium: Have to think that with Artesia having four losses, this winner of this one coule become the No. 4 seed for the 5A playoffs.
7. Hobbs (2-7, 2-3 in 3/6A) at Carlsbad (5-4, 2-3):
How I see it: The winner finishes fourth in district and goes to state. If the Cavemen win, Carlsbad and Sandia go to the playoffs. If Hobbs wins, Carlsbad could knock the Matadors out of the field. 8. Belen (3-6, 2-0 in 5-5A) at Los Lunas (7-2, 2-0), 1 p.m. Saturday: I was conflicted about putting this game so far down the list. The Eagles have had their struggles and will have a tough time keeping pace with their rivals.
9. Eldorado (5-4, 1-2 in 2/5-6A) at Sandia (3-6, 1-2), 7 p.m. Thursday, Wilson Stadium: Matadors need this win to finish third in district and avoid selection committee trouble. See No. 7.
10. St. Pius (3-5, 2-1 in 2/5-4A) at Grants (8-1, 4-0):
The Sartans’ last road trip was a tough defeat at Taos, but they have a chance to make amends here.
11. Santa Fe (4-5, 1-1 in 2/6-5A) at Capital (5-3, 2-0); Los Alamos (3-6, 0-2 in 2/6-5A) at Del Norte (3-6, 1-1), Milne Stadium: A three-way tie for first will occur if the Demons beat the Jaguars and the Knights take care of the Hilltoppers. But only Santa Fe or Capital can be district champ; Del Norte cannot.