The Pahrump Valley High School junior varsity boys’ soccer team opened its season on a winning note Wednesday, Aug. 26, earning a 5-2 victory over Cristo Rey at home in Pahrump.
The Trojans overcame an early deficit and steadily took control of the match, creating scoring opportunities throughout the first half before carrying that momentum into the second.
Cristo Rey struck first when the Trojans’ goalkeeper came out of the box and the visitors were able to capitalize, putting Pahrump behind 1-0 early in the match.
Pahrump quickly went to work looking for the equalizer. The Trojans pushed the ball into Cristo Rey territory and generated several chances, including shots from Jose Aguilar and Ian Baka that narrowly missed their mark.
Pahrump eventually broke through when Aguilar found the back of the net following a pass from Tyler Murphy, tying the game at 1-1.
The Trojans had an opportunity to move ahead on a penalty kick, but Cristo Rey’s goalkeeper made the save. Cristo Rey later received a penalty kick of its own, but Pahrump answered with a stop to keep the game even.
Ashton Dean helped create another opportunity for Pahrump with a well-placed corner kick that was collected by the Cristo Rey goalkeeper, and another Trojan shot on goal was turned away shortly afterward.
Pahrump’s continued pressure eventually paid off. Timothy Clarke drew a penalty and converted the ensuing penalty kick to give the Trojans their first lead of the afternoon, 2-1.
Cristo Rey attempted to respond, but Pahrump’s goalkeeper stopped a shot on goal and later collected another Cristo Rey penalty kick to preserve the advantage.
Before halftime, Christopher Rivera added to the Trojans’ lead, scoring to send Pahrump into the break ahead 3-1.
The Trojans remained aggressive after halftime. Baka sent an early shot high before Pahrump earned a corner and followed it with another attempt that was caught by the Cristo Rey keeper. Baka later put a ball into the net, but the goal was taken off the board on an offsides call.
Pahrump did not have to wait long for its fourth goal. Landen Degoede put a shot on target and found the back of the net, extending the Trojans’ advantage to 4-1.
Clarke continued to battle around the goal and later collided with the Cristo Rey goalkeeper on an attacking opportunity, resulting in a penalty against Pahrump.
The Trojans continued pressing forward, and Aguilar scored again to push the lead to 5-1. He nearly added another goal later in the half, firing a shot that the Cristo Rey keeper was able to push outside.
Pahrump continued creating opportunities down the stretch, forcing another save and earning multiple corner kicks. Cristo Rey managed to add a second goal when a shot sailed just above the Pahrump keeper’s hands, bringing the score to 5-2.
That would be the final goal of the afternoon, as the Trojans closed out the 5-2 victory to begin their season with a win on their home field.
