The Pahrump Valley High School varsity girls’ soccer team battled back from a halftime deficit Tuesday, Sept. 1, earning a 3-3 draw against the Virgin Valley Bulldogs at home in Pahrump.
Sophomore Avery Farruggia accounted for all three Pahrump goals, completing a hat trick with two scores in the second half as the Trojans erased a 2-1 deficit and briefly took the lead.
Pahrump struck first with 21:36 remaining in the opening half. Senior Sydney Crotty helped create the opportunity, finding Farruggia for the finish and a 1-0 Trojan advantage.
Virgin Valley answered with 15:37 left in the half, putting a shot into the net to even the score at 1-1. The Bulldogs continued to apply pressure, but senior goalkeeper Jazmyn Herrera came up with a stop with just over six minutes remaining.
Virgin Valley broke through again with 3:03 on the clock, scoring to take a 2-1 lead. Another Bulldogs attempt went wide in the final two minutes, sending Pahrump into halftime trailing by one.
The Trojans wasted little time responding after the break.
With 38:19 remaining, Farruggia found the net for the second time, pulling Pahrump even at 2-2. Virgin Valley had an opportunity to regain the lead on a penalty kick several minutes later, but the attempt sailed well wide.
Herrera followed with another save at the 33:19 mark, and less than two minutes later, Farruggia put Pahrump in front. Her shot with 31:32 remaining found the net for her third goal of the afternoon, giving the Trojans a 3-2 advantage and completing the hat trick.
Farruggia continued looking for opportunities, putting another shot on goal with 27:30 remaining that was collected by the Virgin Valley goalkeeper.
The Bulldogs were awarded another penalty kick with 14:35 left, but once again sent the attempt wide. Herrera made another save less than three minutes later to preserve Pahrump’s one-goal advantage.
Virgin Valley eventually found the equalizer with 10:48 remaining, tying the match at 3-3 and setting up a busy finish as both teams pushed for the deciding goal.
Crotty put a shot on frame with 5:17 left, but the Bulldogs’ keeper made the save. Sophomore Christine Williams followed with another attempt just over a minute later that was also stopped.
Pahrump came close to reclaiming the lead with two minutes remaining when junior Cindal Monahan stepped up for a penalty kick. Her attempt struck the crossbar, keeping the game tied.
The action continued through the final moments. Herrera collected another Virgin Valley shot in front of the goal, while the Trojans sent an attempt just wide at the other end as time wound down.
Neither side was able to break the tie, leaving Pahrump with a 3-3 draw after an afternoon that saw the Trojans answer a halftime deficit, create chances throughout the second half and remain in the hunt for the winning goal until the final whistle.
