Traci Sievers believes every girls soccer match is winnable for her Portales Lady Rams.

But it's one thing to say it.

Today, Portales has a chance to prove its head coach right.

No match has carried as much significance for the four-year-old program as the one at the Christian Brothers Athletic Complex against the St. Michael's Lady Horsemen.

After Friday's 3-0 District 2A-AAA opening win over Santa Fe Preparatory at Brennand Field, the Lady Rams (6-2) encounter the ripest of all opportunities.

They play the reigning Class A-AAA champion, which is a wounded bunch after two lopsided losses against key A-AAA foes.

St. Michael's wants to salvage a week in which it lost to Albuquerque Hope Christian 5-1 on Monday, then to Albuquerque Sandia Prep 7-0 on Thursday in a rematch of last November's title matchup.

Sievers recognizes what it would mean to beat St. Michael's, which owns a 4-0 lifetime record and a 28-0 goal count against the Lady Rams.

"St. Michael's had always been a challenge for us and the state because they are so well-skilled and well-coached," Sievers said. "They've always been far above everybody else. We treat every game as a chance to get better and show that we can compete, but (beating St. Michael's) would be huge."

Portales has done more than show it can compete. The Lady Rams extended a winning streak over the Blue Griffins — which began in 2008 — to four matches and established itself as the primary challenger to the Lady Horsemen in 2A-AAA.

The Lady Rams also revealed a weapon that the rest of the district saw last year, but did not experience at full strength. Jenna Sievers, the head coach's daughter, was responsible for all three Lady Rams goals, including two in the first 13 minutes to create breathing room.

The sophomore completed the hat trick in the 48th minute when she recovered a loose ball in the Santa Fe Prep backfield and knocked it past goalkeeper Sarah Simis for 3-0.

Jenna Sievers suffered a variety of injuries last year, from a broken back to a sprained ankle to a fractured thumb, which slowed the then-freshman. In 2010, Jenna Sievers has 11 goals to go with a seven-match scoring streak, which she attributes to defenses reacting slowly to her aggressiveness.

"Usually, they start with their regular defense," Jenna Sievers said. "Then, they start marking me with one girl. Occasionally, I'll see a double-team, but usually it's just one girl who follows me everywhere."

What makes Sievers hard to defend is her single-minded approach at attacking the goal. It also makes her a coach's dream.

"She goes directly to the goal," Santa Fe Prep head coach Stephanie Coppola said. "That's what coaches love. She'll run into teams that can match up with her physically, and that might slow her down."

But the Lady Rams can counter that with a stout defense that has helped their 'keeper, Taylor Hammack, pitch four shutouts already. The Blue Griffins (2-1) encountered as many as seven red shirts when it attack the Portales goal, which clogged passing lanes. They managed only five shots on goal, with two coming in the first five minutes.

Coach Sievers feels her defense is crucial to creating the opportunities that come on the offensive end for the Lady Rams.

"They shift and communicate real well," she said. "They're able to clear the ball to the midfield, who are able to win more 50-50 balls and then push forward."

The next push could come in the rankings, especially if it plays a strong 80 minutes — or maybe more — against St. Michael's.

And it could be the start of something bigger for the new kids on the A-AAA block.

Contact James Barron at jbarron@sfnewmexican.com or 986-3045. Read his blog at thereadbarron.com.