The Pahrump Valley High School girls soccer team took another step toward the upcoming season with a unique summer tradition, welcoming former Trojan standouts back to the field for an alumni scrimmage that provided the current roster with a valuable opportunity to test itself against experienced competition.
Held as part of the team’s summer conditioning program, the event marked the third consecutive year the Trojans have hosted an alumni match. While the contest was originally envisioned as a fundraiser, participation numbers ultimately led coaches to turn it into a practice. Even so, the evening accomplished exactly what the coaching staff hoped, giving a young squad its first true game-like experience together while reconnecting generations of Trojan soccer players.
Before kickoff, each of the alumni introduced themselves to the crowd, representing multiple graduating classes and reminding current players of the program’s growing tradition. Among those returning to the field were Avery Moore, Khylar Park, Ryleigh Denton, Kailani Martinez, Diona Nixon, Sarah Brown, Delaney, Julie Briggs, Natalia Vallin, Aubrey Williams, Jessica Garcia, Kiara Ramos, Paris Coleman, Emily Lewis, Maddy Sandoval and Haylee Barajas-Solis. Former coach Danny Coleman directed the alumni side, while current high school players for the Trojans, Jessie Roman, Rene Gonzalez and Leo volunteered as referees for the evening.
Once play began, it became clear the returning alumni hadn’t lost much of their touch.
Early chances came quickly, with Kailani Martinez (Kai) creating the first shot on goal before Kiara Ramos rattled the crossbar with a powerful strike that narrowly missed opening the scoring. Aubrey Williams followed with another opportunity minutes later as the alumni kept pressure on the Trojans’ defense.
Kiara Ramos later earned a penalty kick, and not long afterward Kai found the back of the net to put the alumni on the scoreboard. Jessica delivered a well-placed corner kick that floated across the net, creating another chance before PVHS goalkeeper Jazmyn came off her line to clear a through ball and prevent another opportunity.
The Trojans generated an exciting moment of their own when they appeared to score, only to have the goal waved off for an offside violation.
The alumni continued to showcase their chemistry throughout the remainder of the opening half. Avery Moore and Emily Lewis combined on a crisp passing sequence before Lewis finished the play with a goal to extend the advantage heading into the break.
The experienced group continued to find success after halftime.
An early alumni goal increased the lead before Paris Coleman set up Khylar Park for another score on a well-timed assist. Despite the offensive pressure, Jazmyn came up with one of the night’s best saves, stopping a quality shot on goal to keep the young Trojans battling.
Coleman continued to distribute the ball effectively throughout the second half, finding Avery Moore for what became another goal, although coaches and players acknowledged it likely would have been ruled offside in a regular match. Kai later finished from the middle of the field after another strong buildup, while Coleman connected with Kiara before Avery tapped home another goal during a sustained attacking sequence. A corner kick from Kai bounced through the penalty area before Moore added one final finish after collecting a blocked attempt.
With approximately 30 minutes remaining, coaches shifted the format to maximize development rather than competition. Alumni defenders lined up against the PVHS offense while alumni attackers joined the Trojan defense, allowing younger players to compete alongside experienced former standouts and giving coaches additional opportunities to evaluate combinations across the field.
For head coach Amy Carlson, the final score was never the focus.
“We ended up not making it a fundraiser because it was too hard to get responses on who was coming, so we just made it a practice,” Carlson said. “This is our third year doing it and we are hoping to keep it going as a tradition and hold it around Fourth of July weekend as it seemed to be the best for those girls still in college.”
Carlson said approximately 14 alumni returned for the event, creating a challenging but encouraging environment for a current roster that features many younger players.
“I believe we had 14 alumni show up. All of the incoming girls had fun and it shows us what we need to work on,” Carlson said. “We have a young team for the most part and this was their first time actually playing on the field together. So all things considered they didn’t do bad.”
She added that nerves were understandable considering the level of talent on the opposite side of the field.
“They had a lot of nerves going into the scrimmage game as we have some very talented alumni,” Carlson said. “It was great to see all of the past players back on the field. Although the alumni walked away with the win, as coaches it was a very positive night seeing all of the potential the girls already have, and we still have a month of summer conditioning to build on that momentum.”
Carlson also expressed appreciation to the boys soccer players who volunteered their time to officiate the scrimmage, thanking Jessie Roman, Rene Gonzalez and Leo for helping make the evening possible.
While the alumni once again demonstrated the quality of players the program has produced, the night ultimately served as an encouraging glimpse into the future. For a Trojan squad still learning to play together, facing experienced former teammates provided valuable lessons that will help shape the team as preparations continue toward the start of the fall season.
