The Pahrump Valley High School boys’ soccer team put together their strongest performance of the season on Wednesday, September 17, holding Virgin Valley—the top team in the league—to a 1-1 tie at home. The Trojans displayed a new level of teamwork and determination, earning praise from their head coach for how they came together on the field.
Virgin Valley struck first with an early goal, but the Trojans quickly answered back. With 20 minutes left in the first half, Berto found the back of the net to even the score at 1-1. The remainder of the half was a back-and-forth contest, with goalkeeper Cayden Cowley making several key saves to keep the game even. Pahrump had their chances as well, including a pair of well-placed corner kicks, but went into halftime tied.
The second half saw even more intensity. Virgin Valley tested Cowley with multiple shots on goal, including a penalty kick with just over seven minutes remaining. Each time, Cowley rose to the challenge, deflecting and catching shots that might have sealed the game for the Bulldogs. The Trojans also had their opportunities, with Berto nearly scoring again in the closing minutes and a late penalty kick that was met by a remarkable save from Virgin’s keeper. Despite the high-pressure finish, the match ended level at 1-1.
After the game, Head Coach Andrew Norton praised his team’s growth. “The highs were definitely just teamwork—the best we’ve seen them play all year long, hands down,” Norton said. “We didn’t come away with a win, but we tied the number one team in the league that’s been rolling over people. The teamwork today was at a level that I’ve never seen all season long, and it was fantastic.”
The Trojans played short-handed without one of their key strikers, but Norton emphasized how other players stepped up. He highlighted Xavier for his defensive strength, John Cruz for his relentless play and clean passing, and Cowley for his stellar work in goal. “You pair that with some fantastic keeper play from Cayden, and you’ve got a really solid team that’s clearly hard to beat,” Norton said.
Looking ahead, the Trojans will take advantage of a bye week to recover from several injuries before facing either Boulder City or Moapa Valley. Norton noted that the team experimented with new strategies against Virgin Valley, cycling through four different formations throughout the game. “We’re going to look at the stats—where we had more possession, more shots—and figure out what formation works best for the rest of the season,” he explained. “There will be a formation change going forward.”
With improved chemistry, defensive toughness, and a willingness to adapt, the Trojans showed they are ready to compete with any team in the league during the second half of the season.
