LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KTSM) – The 9th Overtime Game of the Week of the fourth week takes the crew to New Mexico on Friday for one of the best rivalries in the United States: Las Cruces vs. Mayfield.
Named one of the nation’s best rivalries in recent years by USA Today, the Bulldawgs and Trojans have a real disdain for one another on the soccer field.
“This rivalry is talked about across the state every year,” said Mayfield head coach Michael Bradley. “It is known nationwide and has been in the top 10 for years.”
Traditionally played at the end of the season and often with a district title (sometimes even a state championship) at stake, this year’s game is a non-district match as Mayfield has dropped from class 6A to class 5A. It doesn’t make it any less intense, however; The city’s boastful rights are at stake.
Las Cruces High has dominated the rivalry lately, winning every year since 2015. But as the saying goes: throw the records when these two teams play. The city stands behind it like no other.
“You get messages from everywhere when it’s Cruces-Mayfield,” said LCHS head coach Mark Lopez. “No matter how well or poorly you do, people pay a lot of attention to this game. It’s a huge game in the community. “
While the game was typically played in front of over 20,000 fans at New Mexico State’s Aggie Memorial Stadium, this season the game was moved to the Field of Dreams, just as it was in the shortened spring season when the Bulldawgs and Trojans played out a couple of months.
Las Cruces High is 1-3 in this game; Mayfield is 2-2 but could easily be 3-1. It’s almost always a good game and both sides expect the same thing on Friday night. The kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Field of Dreams.
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