soccerNM.com

ALBUQUERQUE -- In a matter of moments, a seemingly safe 2-0 lead evaporated in the finale of the Verizon Copa Alianza.

Two quick, counter-attack strikes erased the lead A-1 Pools had built over Deportivo Español through the first 60 minutes of the championship game.

At stake in the game was not just wounded pride as A-1 Pools looked to regain its seat as the reigning team in the league, but an expenses-paid trip to Denver for the Regional Tournament, $1,000 cash and a set of spiffy new uniforms.

But A-1 Pools didn't have to fret. Preci Ruiz was about to help out.

Ruiz had already given A-1 Pools its 2-goal advantage with a breakaway goal and with about 15 minutes left, he put in the game-winner.

"I saw the keeper in the front and I shot," Ruiz said. "That’s it and I scored. I scored so it’s fine."

Fine indeed. The chip from about 25 yards gave A-1 Pools the 3-2 victory.

"It was a very important win because the last time they beat us here in last tournament," said team captain and defensive mainstay Eddie Gonzalez. "So it was kind of like a prize within a prize. It was kind of like revenge."

Ruiz could appreciate the practical ramifications on the victory.

"Winning was very important because we go to Denver to play other teams," he said.

The restores A-1 Pools pride and luster as the top dog of the heap, said fellow captain Carlos Mandujano.

"The team is going to be 19 years old in

August and we’ve always been on top," he said. "It’s not easy stuff to do, but we’re trying to do it."

The team may have started to look ahead after Ruiz scored his first goal early in the second half.

"In soccer, 2-0 is the worst lead you can have because then they’ll score and they’ll get the momentum going," Mandujano said. "And that’s what happened. We kind of got comfortable already and in those five minutes they scored and got the momentum and scored again."

A few substitutions settled the team and it returned to playing the type of ball it's capable of doing.

"Instead of just touching the ball around, we wanted to pretty much prove and score more instead of playing our game, which is touching the ball and making them run," Gonzalez said. "That’s what happened in the back."

The regionals will take place month in Denver, where the teams are eligible to win more cash prizes, said local tournament director Juan Rubio.

In addition, there could be even more at stake for some of the younger players.

"It’s very important for the younger who are going because there’s going to be scouts for the Mexican teams professional teams, so it’s a good opportunity for them," Gonzales said.