by Mike Smith
Carlsbad Current-Argus

Getting back to the state playoffs and leaving a legacy for future Carlsbad Cavegirls football players are Abbey Dugan’s top goals as she heads into her senior season.

Dugan’s last playoff run was in 2021, when the Cavegirls finished second in the state 5A championship and lost 1-0 to Albuquerque Cibola in the championship game.

Carlsbad won the 5A state championship in 2020, defeating Albuquerque High School 1-0.

Dugan was an eighth-grader and played in 11 games for the Cavegirls during their last state championship in 2021. When the season began Aug. 20 at Lovington, the team was hoping to tie the tie as Carlsbad had missed the postseason the past two years.

“We need to get back there and the only way to do that is to practice and push ourselves,” he said.

Dugan played in 69 games in four seasons with the Cavegirls, scoring 178 points.

He scored a career-high 29 goals last season at Carlsbad High School.

He wanted to motivate his teammates this season so they could return to the state tournament.

“It will be one of the best experiences you will ever have in your life,” Dugan said.

Carlsbad finished last season with a 12-8 overall record and a 3-3 record in District 5-4A.

The Cavegirls tied for second place in the league with Clovis, Hobbs won the district with a 6-0 record, and Roswell finished last in the league without a win.

Take a look at the program

After the season opener on August 20, the Cavegirls will take a break before traveling for the Las Cruces Public Schools tournament on August 30 and 31.

On September 3 at Carlsbad High School, the Cavegirls will begin a three-game home series against Roswell Goddard.

On September 5 and 7, Las Cruces Centennial and Las Cruces Mayfield visit Cavegirls.

Carlsbad beat Centennial 1-0 in overtime last year in Las Cruces, while the Trojans swept the Cavegirls in a two-game series last season.

Following their home games, the Cavegirls will take part in the away rounds of the Academy Tournament in Albuquerque from September 13-15.

Playing in New Mexico’s largest city has always been a challenge for the Cavegirls, Dugan said.

According to the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA), Albuquerque schools lead the way in New Mexico high school girls soccer.

According to the NMAA website, La Cueva has the most state team titles with 16, while El Dorado is second with 12 state titles.

Carlsbad’s road trip continues with a two-game road trip at Artesia on September 17, followed by a two-game road trip against Las Cruces High School and Organ Mountain High School on September 20 and 21.

The non-region games will conclude with a home rematch against Lovington on September 24th.

The regional opens with a home game against Clovis on Oct. 1. Both teams split the season series last year, with the Wildcats winning at Clovis and the Cavegirls winning at Carlsbad.

On October 5th, the Cavegirls will travel to Roswell and the first half of league play will conclude with a home game against Hobbs on October 8th.

Carlsbad takes a break before the second leg of the regional, which begins with an away game at Clovis on Oct. 15.

The home portion of the season will conclude with a home game against Roswell on October 19th, while the Cavegirls will play against Hobbs on October 22nd.

“Our area is supposed to be pretty tough,” Dugan said.

Reach Mike Smith at 575-308-8734 or by email at [email protected].