As the 2025 girls’ soccer season approaches at Pahrump Valley High School, Head Coach Amy Carlson is entering the year with confidence and optimism, supported by a coaching team and group of players ready to build on the program’s legacy.
Returning as the Junior Varsity Head Coach is Victor Vallin, a familiar figure for the program, and joining the staff this year is Maddie Sandoval, who is set to serve as assistant coach for both the varsity and JV squads. Sandoval’s addition reflects the growing momentum behind PVHS girls’ soccer, with Carlson noting that the coaching structure remains largely the same as last season, but with added depth and mentorship.
The team kicked off its training early this summer, with players showing an impressive level of commitment. “These girls are hungry,” Carlson said. “They’ve been out here since the first Monday of June, working hard every single week—sometimes even doing two-a-days by request.” That dedication is especially vital for a team that, while senior-heavy, has seen major turnover since last season.
“We started the summer with 10 seniors, and while one ended up taking a job, we still have nine seniors on the roster,” Carlson explained. “But only four of those are returning varsity players. The rest were on JV, so they’re adjusting to the pace of varsity now. Still, it’s exciting—because they’re hungry, and they want to compete.”
Complementing those seniors is a large group of promising freshmen, many of whom came up through the Jr Trojans youth program. “Almost all of them started with Jr Trojans at some point,” Carlson said. “Some played more recently, and a few are new to town, but for the most part, we’re seeing the real benefits of growing the program from the ground up. It shows the kind of continuity and passion we’re building.”
Though the final schedule is still being updated due to division changes, the Trojans’ season opener is set for Friday, August 15, on the road against Virgin Valley in Mesquite. The Southern 3A division has undergone a major shift this year, consolidating from separate mountain and desert leagues into a single division. Several familiar opponents—including SLAM Academy, Mater Academy East, Sunrise Mountain, and Mojave—have moved up to 4A. PVHS will continue to face longtime rivals like Boulder City, Moapa Valley, and Virgin Valley, while welcoming Equipo and a few others as new additions to the division.
“It’s going to be a little different,” Carlson said. “Some of the schools we used to see are no longer in our division, but we’re excited about the new matchups. It’s a great opportunity to test ourselves in new ways.”
For Carlson, the focus this season goes beyond wins and losses. “We want to keep building,” she said. “With such a young team, the goal is to maintain that drive, that hunger. It’s about not giving up, and continuing to play as a team.”
Team unity is something Carlson believes gives her players an edge. “You can have all the talent in the world, but if you can’t work together on the field, it won’t matter. What I’ve seen this summer has been incredible—the experienced girls have welcomed the younger ones with open arms, and they’re already playing as a unit.”
Reflecting on last season’s early exit in the regional tournament, Carlson said the team didn’t lose due to lack of skill—they lost their spark. “We didn’t get beat—we lost our drive,” she said. “So this year, we’re reminding the girls: If you want to go to state, that’s your goal to claim. It’s yours to earn.”
With a supportive coaching staff, returning leadership, and rising talent fueled by years of preparation, the PVHS girls’ soccer team is poised to make a powerful statement this season—one built on teamwork, determination, and a love for the game.
