The Pahrump Valley High School girls’ junior varsity soccer team maintained its offensive pressure until the closing minutes Thursday, Sept. 3, earning a 1-0 road victory over Moapa Valley.
The Trojans created numerous scoring opportunities throughout the game while their defense limited Moapa’s chances at the other end of the field. The match remained scoreless until Josephina “Josie” Gaitan delivered the deciding goal with less than two minutes remaining.
Pahrump began testing the Moapa goalkeeper during the first half. The Trojans placed a shot on goal with approximately 10 minutes remaining, but the keeper made the stop. Kimberly Villalobos Patiño sent another attempt toward the net with 7:20 left, only to have it caught.
Raylee Smith narrowly missed giving Pahrump the lead a short time later, sending a shot just wide of the goal with 6:34 remaining. The Trojans received another opportunity after Carmen Gonzales went down with 2:40 left in the half, but Moapa’s keeper stopped the resulting penalty kick.
Smith produced one more attempt during the final two minutes, though the goalkeeper secured the ball to send the teams into halftime tied at 0-0.
Pahrump continued attacking after the break. Avery Farruggia stepped up for a penalty kick with 27:50 remaining, but Moapa’s keeper again kept the Trojans off the scoreboard.
Melissa Frias Esparza followed with a shot on goal at the 24-minute mark, and Smith forced another save with 21:12 left. Moapa produced one of its few opportunities shortly afterward, sending a shot wide of the goal with 19:32 remaining.
Gaitan challenged the keeper with 17:29 left, but her attempt was caught. Smith sent another shot narrowly wide with 11:39 remaining before Frias Esparza placed consecutive attempts on frame at 10:45 and 10:16, both of which were stopped.
The Trojans kept pressing as time wound down. Gaitan sent a shot over the goal with 4:18 remaining, and Brooklynn McMahon placed another attempt on target with 3:03 left that the Moapa keeper collected.
Gaitan finally broke through with less than two minutes remaining, placing her shot into the net to give Pahrump the 1-0 advantage. The Trojans protected the lead through the final whistle, completing the shutout and securing the road victory after a persistent attacking effort.
*These photos and more are available at pvcnphotos.com.
