The Pahrump Valley High School boys’ varsity soccer team continued pressing for an equalizer until the final minutes Wednesday, Sept. 16, but the Trojans came up just short in a 2-1 home loss to the Moapa Valley Pirates.
Pahrump established its attack early, recording two shots within the opening two minutes. The Trojans sent another ball across the face of the goal shortly afterward and followed with a shot that was collected by the Moapa goalkeeper.
Miguel Frias-Esparza helped limit the Pirates at the other end, battling for possession and clearing the ball away from danger. TC Hone later found space for a shot near the top of the box, but his attempt sailed over the goal.
The Trojans continued testing the Moapa defense. When the Pirates’ goalkeeper came well off his line, Pahrump attempted a deep shot that was deflected by a defender. A second attempt moments later traveled over the crossbar.
Moapa Valley took the lead on a penalty kick with 28:15 remaining in the first half, but Pahrump answered approximately five minutes later.
Omar Becerra Gastelum was knocked down inside the box, earning a penalty kick for the Trojans. The Moapa goalkeeper deflected the initial attempt, but Becerra Gastelum followed the shot and put the rebound into the net to tie the game at 1-1.
Roberto Gonzalez-Gonzalez kept the pressure on with a determined run and cross from the right side. Jessie Barajas-Roman also made a sliding stop to break up a Moapa opportunity.
Pahrump generated several more chances before halftime. Eli worked a give-and-go before sending a shot toward the goal and later received a cross in scoring position, but his attempt went left. Hone took two deep shots during the final five minutes of the half as the teams entered the break tied at 1-1.
The Trojans appeared to create another strong scoring opportunity early in the second half, but the play was ruled offside. Gonzalez-Gonzalez and Ryan Nunez Manzo followed with shots from distance as Pahrump looked for its first lead.
Moapa Valley moved ahead with 28:30 remaining when a deep shot found the upper-left corner of the goal.
Barajas-Roman helped keep the Trojans within one, stopping a long free kick with 24 minutes left and collecting a bouncing shot later in the half.
Pahrump continued generating opportunities at the other end. A shot with 17:30 remaining was caught by the Pirates’ goalkeeper, while another deep attempt passed just outside the right post. The Trojans earned a free kick after Eli was tripped approximately 30 yards from the goal, followed shortly afterward by a corner kick that Pahrump headed toward the net.
One of the Trojans’ best chances to tie the game came with 6:20 remaining. Hone connected on a header from a corner kick, but the ball struck the top of the crossbar.
Becerra Gastelum received a yellow card for contact with the goalkeeper during another Pahrump attack and was subsequently shown a red card following an exchange with the official, leaving the Trojans to finish the match down a player.
Even while short-handed, Pahrump continued attacking. The Trojans earned another deep free kick with 3:13 remaining and created one final opportunity inside the last two minutes, but Moapa Valley held on for the 2-1 win.
