The Pahrump Valley High School girls’ varsity soccer team faced off against Cimarron Memorial on Thursday, September 18, at home, battling tough wind conditions and a strong opponent before falling 6-1. Despite the scoreline, the Trojans showed determination and continued to build on areas of progress throughout the game.
Playing against the wind in the first half, the Trojans found themselves defending early. Goalkeeper Julie Briggs had several standout saves, including catching a penalty kick at the 27-minute mark and stopping multiple shots in traffic. She kept the team in the game with quick reactions, controlling dangerous shots at chest and eye level.
Offensively, Natalia Vallin worked to create chances, pushing the ball up the center and connecting with her teammates. At the 12-minute mark, she found Julie Briggs on the left, though the play was called offside. Later, Vallin’s shot from the right just missed wide, and she continued to press throughout the night. In the closing minutes of the first half, Cimarron managed two quick goals, taking a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Cimarron extended its lead in the second half with consistent pressure, scoring four more goals, but Pahrump continued to push back. Aubrey Mitchell and Paola Rodriguez worked to create opportunities, with Mitchell nearly finding the net on a long-range shot. Vallin stayed active up front, sending in crosses and forcing the defense to work. With just over five minutes left, Vallin broke through for the Trojans, firing a shot past the keeper to put Pahrump on the board. The game ended 6-1, but the Trojans celebrated their ability to keep pushing until the final whistle.
Head Coach Amy Carlson reflected on the match and her team’s performance. “We were coming off such a high from our last game, and unfortunately we just didn’t show up the way we needed to today,” she said. “There were frustrations with officiating, but at the end of the day we have to take more shots and connect our passes better. The wind was definitely a factor, but Cimarron capitalized on their opportunities. We’ve been working on through balls, and I saw more of that tonight, which is encouraging. Our biggest challenge is transferring what we do so well in practice into games, and that’s something we’ll keep building on.”
Carlson also praised several key players. She highlighted goalkeeper Julie Briggs for her resilience, noting how much she has grown in recent games. She also pointed to the efforts of Natalie Soto, Deanna Nixon, and freshman Kylie Lusk for their work across the field and in defense.
Though the score was not in their favor, the Trojans left the field with clear takeaways and areas to strengthen. With continued effort and practice, the team looks to bring their strong training performances into their upcoming matches.
