The Pahrump Valley High School girls’ varsity soccer team bounced back in impressive fashion on Wednesday, October 15, earning a decisive 9–0 win over Cristo Rey at home. The victory came just two days after a tough 4–0 road loss to Equipo Academy, marking a clear turnaround in focus and execution for the Lady Trojans.
Monday’s match against Equipo tested the Trojans on both ends of the field. Despite several strong drives and effective passing, missed opportunities in front of the goal kept Pahrump off the scoreboard. Goalkeeper Julie Briggs had a standout performance with five saves, allowing just one goal before leaving the game with a turf burn injury after a diving stop. Defender Diona Nixon also earned praise for her composure and leadership on the back line, holding off multiple scoring attempts from Equipo’s offense.
Head Coach Amy Carlson said the team used the loss as motivation to regroup. “We had some great ball movement but missed some easy shots that kept us off the board,” she said. “We utilized the game as a way to get our full roster on the field, but we just had too many gaps in the backfield. We know what these girls are capable of, but they have to find that drive and desire to win—it has to come from them.”
That renewed drive was on full display against Cristo Rey. The Lady Trojans came out aggressive, scoring early and often in what became their most dominant performance of the season. Natalie Soto opened the scoring before Juliana Lopez and Aubrey Williams quickly extended the lead to 3–0. From there, the offense stayed relentless—capitalizing on corner kicks, penalty shots, and second-chance opportunities. Soto connected with Williams twice on perfectly timed headers, while Natalia Vallin controlled play in the midfield, assisting on several goals and scoring one herself. By halftime, Pahrump led 7–0, and two more goals in the second half sealed the win before the game was called early.
Carlson said the turnaround began with a “reset” during Tuesday’s practice. “After the Equipo game, we told them no one had a guaranteed starting spot,” she explained. “Some of them took that seriously, and those who did really stepped up tonight. It was the best play we’ve seen up front all season.”
She added that it was encouraging to see balance throughout the lineup. “It was nice to get six goals in 20 minutes,” Carlson said. “We had four different scorers tonight, and defense didn’t have much to do, which is great. It shows how well the girls were connecting and communicating.”
With only two league games remaining, the Lady Trojans are channeling their momentum toward the postseason. “We still have our sights set on state,” Carlson said. “We need the girls to believe in themselves and keep playing with that same energy.”
The commanding win over Cristo Rey not only lifted team morale but also demonstrated what the Lady Trojans can accomplish when they play with confidence and unity—a promising sign as they prepare for regionals.
