Carlsbad soccer teams to start district play

CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad boys and girls soccer teams finally have their first big tasks of 2016 in front of them: the start of District 3-6A competition.

The Cavegirls (5-0) will host Mayfield at 6 p.m. Tuesday, while the Cavemen (2-1) will play at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Mayfield.

The new district features Carlsbad, Hobbs, Mayfield, Las Cruces, Centennial, Oñate and Gadsden.

Recent history is on the Cavegirls’ side, courtesy of a 17-2 combined record against Las Cruces, Mayfield, Centennial and Oñate since 2012.

Yet, the opening district match will still present its challenges because Mayfield is also off to a strong start in 2016. The Trojans are currently 6-0-1 and have the scored the most goals of any team in the new district so far with 46.

The Cavegirls’ last district title came in 2013. They went on to beat Las Cruces in the first round of the state tournament that year, 3-2.

The new district will be a tall order for the Cavemen, however. Carlsbad has just three wins and one draw facing their current district foes since 2011.

The last time Carlsbad beat one of those teams came on Oct. 18, 2014 against Hobbs.

The Cavemen won that match, 4-2, which eventually led to a district title four nights later – when they beat Alamogordo to clinch it. The Cavemen look to win their second district title in three years.

District 3-6A girls soccer standings

1. Carlsbad (5-0)

2. Hobbs (4-0)

3. Mayfield (6-0-1)

4. Centennial (5-1)

5. Gadsden (3-2)

6. Las Cruces (4-3)

7. Onate (1-4-1)

District 3-6A boys soccer standings

1. Gadsden (6-1)

2. Hobbs (5-1)

3. Carlsbad (2-1)

4. Centennial (3-2-2)

5. Onate (3-3-1)

6. Mayfield (1-3-2)

7. Las Cruces (0-4-2)